plate no. 0728

Self-Portrait with Hand Up

Avigdor Arikha, 1988

oilContemporary Realismself-portraitportraitfigureself-portraitmanglasseshand

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in capturing likeness, understanding subtle value changes in skin tones, and rendering textures with pastels or similar dry media.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, hand, and body, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the darkest areas with a dark pastel or charcoal.
step 03
Begin layering in mid-tones on the face and hand, observing the subtle shifts in color and value.
step 04
Add highlights to the face, hand, and clothing, using lighter pastels or chalk.
step 05
Refine the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, focusing on capturing the likeness.
step 06
Develop the texture of the hair and clothing with short, broken strokes.
step 07
Soften edges and blend colors where necessary to create a sense of form.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust values to achieve a balanced and harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · gray · flesh tones · black

secondary · yellow ochre · raw umber · white

Mix flesh tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red or brown. Achieve grays by mixing black and white, and adjust the temperature by adding a touch of yellow or blue.

techniques