plate no. 4428

Self-Portrait with Model

Christian Schad, 1927

oil, woodMagic Realismself-portraitfiguresportraitflowerindustrial landscapenudeplaid

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, figure painting, and subtle color blending to achieve realistic skin tones. It also introduces the challenge of depicting various textures like skin, fabric, and hair.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a detailed sketch of the composition, paying attention to proportions and placement of figures and objects.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors using thin washes of paint.
step 03
Begin building up the skin tones with layers of subtle color variations, focusing on highlights and shadows.
step 04
Work on the details of the faces, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushes and precise strokes.
step 05
Paint the background and industrial landscape, using muted colors and soft edges.
step 06
Add details to the fabric and flower, paying attention to texture and form.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting colors and values as needed.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · raw umber · cadmium red light

secondary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use raw umber and blue for shadows. Mix alizarin crimson and white for the pinkish tones.

techniques