plate no. 6820

Self Portrait with Red Kerchief

Louisa Matthiasdottir, 1990

oilExpressionismself-portraitportraitfigureheadscarffacewomanself-portrait

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to simplify complex forms into basic shapes and use color temperature to create depth and dimension. It's also a good exercise in capturing a likeness with expressive mark-making.

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 of the head, neck, and shoulders using a soft pencil or charcoal.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin tones, headscarf, background, and clothing.
step 03
Establish the darkest shadows on the face and neck, paying attention to the planes of the face.
step 04
Add lighter values to define the highlights and mid-tones, blending slightly to create smooth transitions.
step 05
Develop the colors in the headscarf, using a variety of reds, oranges, and browns.
step 06
Refine the details of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using darker and lighter values.
step 07
Add texture and interest to the background with loose, expressive strokes.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and expressive portrait.

color palette

primary · orange · white · black · brown

secondary · green · yellow · red

Mix skin tones by blending orange, white, and small amounts of brown. Use green and yellow to create olive undertones. Darken colors with black or burnt umber.

techniques

·blocking
·blending
·hatching
·scumbling
·color temperature

common pitfalls

→Over-blending, which can result in a muddy or lifeless appearance.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure, which can make the portrait look flat.
→Getting bogged down in details too early, before establishing the overall composition and values.
→Not paying attention to color temperature, which can make the skin tones look unnatural.