plate no. 8956

Self Portrait on Hiddensee

oilExpressionismself-portraitself-portraitfigurelandscapecloudsbuildingswater

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in watercolor layering, color mixing for skin tones, and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in capturing a likeness in a portrait.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure, landscape, and buildings.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre to the face and hair.
step 03
Add a light blue wash to the sky and the figure's shirt.
step 04
Layer in the darker tones of the face using a mix of burnt sienna and ultramarine blue, paying attention to shadows.
step 05
Paint the background landscape, starting with the lightest tones and gradually adding darker values.
step 06
Add details to the buildings and boats in the background.
step 07
Define the features of the face with a fine brush, using a mix of burnt sienna and black for the eyes and mouth.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to the entire painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

secondary · white · black · raw umber

Mix yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the skin tones. Use ultramarine blue and burnt sienna to create grays and shadows. Dilute colors with water to achieve different values.

techniques