plate no. 3599
Self Portrait with Black Earrings
Émilie Charmy, 1950
some experience helpful
This painting is a good exercise in capturing a likeness with expressive brushstrokes and understanding color relationships in skin tones. Students will learn to simplify forms and focus on essential details.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, hair, and shoulders.
- step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of muted gray-brown.
- step 03
Establish the main skin tone using a mix of white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red.
- step 04
Add shadows to the face using blues, greens, and purples mixed with the base skin tone.
- step 05
Paint the hair with loose, expressive strokes of brown, yellow, and red.
- step 06
Define the features (eyes, nose, mouth) with darker values and subtle color variations.
- step 07
Add details like the earrings and clothing, keeping the brushwork loose.
- step 08
Refine the overall composition and adjust values as needed.
color palette
primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber · cadmium red
secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian green · ivory black
Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, and red, then adjusting with small amounts of blue, green, or purple for shadows. Hair colors are created by blending browns, yellows, and reds.
techniques
- ·alla prima
- ·broken color
- ·color mixing
- ·expressive brushwork
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Over-blending the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Focusing too much on detail too early in the process.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the skin tones.
- →Creating harsh lines instead of soft transitions.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·painting knife
Use a medium-grit canvas for better texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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