plate no. 1806

Self Portrait of the Artist Painting and Holding a Palette

oilBaroqueself-portraitportraitfigureartistpalettepaintingclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, skin tone mixing, and rendering of fabric folds. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and form through subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, canvas, and background.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the darks and lights with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, paying close attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, focusing on the folds and highlights to create a sense of volume.
step 05
Paint the hair, using loose brushstrokes to capture the texture and movement.
step 06
Add details to the palette and brush, ensuring accurate placement and proportions.
step 07
Refine the background, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre · raw sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Use ivory black and umber for dark clothing, adding white for highlights. Mix browns and grays for the background and canvas.

techniques