plate no. 9989
Self-Portrait with Brushes
Hans Hofmann, 1942
some experience helpful
This painting is great for practicing expressive brushstrokes and simplifying complex forms into basic shapes. Students can learn to capture a likeness with minimal detail and bold color choices.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure and background.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color with thin washes.
- step 03
Start building up layers of color, focusing on the light and shadow patterns.
- step 04
Use bold, visible brushstrokes to define the forms.
- step 05
Add details like the facial features and the brushes.
- step 06
Define the outlines with dark lines to emphasize the shapes.
- step 07
Refine the colors and values, adjusting as needed.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · raw umber
Mix blue and white for various shades of the shirt. Use yellow ochre and white for the background. Mix red and white for the skin tones. Use raw umber for the dark outlines.
techniques
- ·expressive brushstrokes
- ·color blocking
- ·simplification of form
- ·outlining
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Getting bogged down in details too early.
- →Not simplifying the forms enough.
- →Using too many colors and muddying the palette.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·round brushes
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·medium gloss
Use a medium-sized canvas to allow for expressive brushstrokes. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
related artworks
Dolly Sisters
Kees van Dongen
Nude with Loaves
Jean Helion
My Father
Carlos Botelho
Helen
Chronis Botsoglou
The portrait painter in the country
Albin Egger-Lienz
Marketta on Lázeňská street, Prague
Maria Bozoky
Winter at the Entrepotdok, in Amsterdam city
Paul Werner
Old Woman with Masks (Theatre of Masks)
James Ensor