plate no. 1595

Self Portrait with Others

John Bratby, 1959

oilExpressionismself-portraitfiguresportraitsgroupself-portraitfaces

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork, color mixing for skin tones, and capturing emotion through facial features. It also encourages experimentation with texture and layering.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and placement of the figures.
step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of green and dark colors.
step 03
Establish the main light and shadow areas on the faces and bodies using thin washes.
step 04
Begin building up layers of color and texture with thicker paint.
step 05
Focus on capturing the unique features and expressions of each individual.
step 06
Use bold brushstrokes to define the contours and create a sense of energy.
step 07
Add highlights and details to bring the figures to life.
step 08
Refine the composition and adjust the colors as needed.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · yellow ochre · cadmium red

secondary · viridian green · ultramarine blue · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, umber, ochre, and a touch of red. Use green and blue to create depth in the background. Vary the proportions to create subtle color shifts.

techniques

·impasto
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·layering
·broken color

common pitfalls

→Over-blending colors, which can flatten the image.
→Losing the energy and spontaneity of the brushstrokes.
→Getting bogged down in details too early.
→Ignoring the overall composition and color harmony.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (titanium white, burnt umber, yellow ochre, cadmium red, viridian green, ultramarine blue, ivory black)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife
·rags