plate no. 0968

Self-Portrait with Doll

Jose Gutierrez Solana, 1943

oil, canvasExpressionismself-portraitfiguresportraitdollpaletteartistclothing

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as understanding how to create depth and form using value and color.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the placement and proportions of the figures.
step 02
Establish the background with broad, dark strokes, creating a sense of depth.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures with simplified color masses.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, focusing on accurate proportions and subtle value changes.
step 05
Develop the clothing and details, such as the doll's dress and the artist's coat, using thicker paint and visible brushstrokes.
step 06
Paint the palette and brushes, paying attention to the colors and textures.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create form and dimension.
step 08
Refine the details and make any necessary adjustments to the composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white, with small amounts of cadmium red for warmth. Darken colors with ivory black and lighten with titanium white.

techniques