plate no. 6098

Self-Portrait With Mint Tower

Isaac Israels, 1912

oilImpressionismself-portraitportraitfigureself-portraitbuildingpalette

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and using a limited palette to create subtle variations in skin tone. It also provides practice in creating depth through layering and soft edges.

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 proportions of the head, shoulders, and background elements.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the skin tones, clothing, and background.
step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to create smooth transitions and subtle variations in tone.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Develop the background, using soft edges and muted colors to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final touches and adjustments to refine the overall composition.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · raw sienna · ivory black · cadmium red light

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and burnt umber. Use ivory black and burnt umber to create darks for the clothing and shadows. Muted background colors can be achieved by mixing complementary colors.

techniques