plate no. 7555

Self-Portrait with dog

Antonio Ligabue, 1957

oilNaïve Art (Primitivism)self-portraitfiguredoglandscapevillageskytrees

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice layering colors to create depth and texture, and develop skills in depicting figures and animals with expressive features. Students will also learn to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the figure, dog, and landscape, paying attention to proportions and composition.
step 02
Block in the main colors of the sky, ground, and buildings with thin washes.
step 03
Start layering the colors on the figure and dog, building up the form with short, visible brushstrokes.
step 04
Add details to the face, clothing, and fur, focusing on capturing the character's expression.
step 05
Paint the background village and landscape, simplifying the details and using a limited color palette.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed.
step 08
Add final touches and varnish the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · cerulean blue · sap green

Mix yellow ochre and burnt umber to create the various shades of brown for the figure's clothing and the dog's fur. Use white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Mix blue and white for the sky, and green and yellow for the grass.

techniques