plate no. 8032
Self Portrait with Album
Émilie Charmy, 1912
some experience helpful
This painting will help students practice portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating depth with layering and brushwork. Students will also learn to simplify details and focus on capturing the essence of the subject.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas: background, skin, dress, and hair.
- step 03
Refine the skin tones, paying attention to subtle color variations.
- step 04
Develop the details of the dress, including the collar and embellishments.
- step 05
Add the album and refine the hand holding it.
- step 06
Work on the facial features, focusing on capturing the likeness.
- step 07
Adjust the values and colors to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights.
color palette
primary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · titanium white · cadmium red
secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black
Mix skin tones using white, red, sienna, and a touch of blue. Create the dress color by mixing ultramarine blue with a touch of black and white. The background is a mix of burnt sienna and cadmium red.
techniques
- ·alla prima
- ·color mixing
- ·portraiture
- ·blocking in
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
- →Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a medium-sized canvas (e.g., 16x20 inches). A limited palette of colors will help you achieve a harmonious result.
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