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home·artworks·Self Portrait with Cart
Self Portrait with Cart by John Bratby

plate no. 0362

Self Portrait with Cart

John Bratby

oilExpressionismself-portraitportraitfigurecartinteriorplaidwindow
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create texture and depth. It also encourages simplification of complex patterns and forms.

technical profile

palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on proportions.

  2. step 02

    Block in the main color areas with thin washes, establishing the overall color scheme.

  3. step 03

    Start building up thicker layers of paint, focusing on the light and shadow patterns.

  4. step 04

    Use visible brushstrokes to create texture and movement, especially in the clothing and background.

  5. step 05

    Mix colors directly on the canvas to achieve a lively and spontaneous effect.

  6. step 06

    Pay attention to the details of the face, but avoid over-refining them.

  7. step 07

    Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and form.

  8. step 08

    Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting.

color palette

primary · emerald green · orange · red · white

secondary · turquoise · brown · yellow

Achieve the greens by mixing blues and yellows, and the oranges by mixing reds and yellows. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

  • ·impasto
  • ·broken color
  • ·alla prima
  • ·scumbling
  • ·color mixing on canvas

common pitfalls

  • →Over-blending the colors, losing the vibrancy of the brushstrokes.
  • →Getting bogged down in details too early.
  • →Not establishing a strong value structure.
  • →Ignoring the overall composition and focusing too much on individual elements.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas
  • ·oil paints
  • ·palette
  • ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
  • ·linseed oil
  • ·turpentine
  • ·palette knife

optional

  • ·painting medium
  • ·easel
  • ·rags

Use a medium-textured canvas to enhance the impasto effect. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.

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related guides

oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →
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