plate no. 0173

Self-portrait with his wife Renee and dog Kouski

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismself-portraitfiguresdogportraitclothinginterior

some experience helpful

This painting is great for practicing simplified color blocking and capturing likeness with limited detail. Students can also learn about creating depth through layering and subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the main color areas (red, blue, black, background) with thin washes.
step 03
Add a second layer of color, refining the shapes and adding subtle value variations.
step 04
Begin to define the facial features, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 05
Add details to the clothing and dog, using thicker paint and visible brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the background, adding texture and subtle color variations.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Let dry and add a varnish layer.

color palette

primary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · raw umber

Mix various shades of red by adding white or a touch of black. Create the blue by mixing ultramarine with white and a hint of black. The background is a mix of white, blue, yellow ochre, and raw umber.

techniques

·color blocking
·layering
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·simplified portraiture

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details
→Getting the proportions wrong
→Using too much detail in the background
→Not capturing the likeness of the figures

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 16x20
·Oil paints (cadmium red, ultramarine blue, ivory black, titanium white, yellow ochre, raw umber)
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags