plate no. 2707

Self-Portrait with Pipe

William H. Johnson, 1937

oil, canvasExpressionismself-portraitportraitfigurepipeself-portraitclothingartist

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and understanding how to simplify complex forms into bold shapes. It also encourages experimentation with color and value to create a dynamic portrait.

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 and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the skin, clothing, and background using thin washes.
step 03
Build up layers of paint, focusing on the direction and texture of the brushstrokes.
step 04
Define the facial features and details of the clothing with thicker paint and bolder strokes.
step 05
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 06
Refine the composition and adjust colors as needed.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the pipe and the artist's signature.
step 08
Let dry and varnish.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · ivory black

Mix yellow ochre with burnt umber and white for the skin tones. Create various shades of blue by mixing ultramarine with white and a touch of black. Use red and umber for the jacket.

techniques

·impasto
·broken color
·expressive brushwork
·alla prima
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Getting bogged down in details too early.
→Not paying attention to the direction of the brushstrokes.
→Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 16x20
·oil paints (yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red, viridian green, ivory black)
·assorted brushes (flat and round)
·palette
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife
·rags