plate no. 6679

Self-portrait with red moon

oilExpressionismself-portraitportraitfigureself-portraitmoonscarfexpressionism

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating depth with subtle value changes. It also encourages expressive brushwork and capturing a mood.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and the red moon.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark blue, varying the tone slightly.
step 03
Establish the basic skin tones with a mix of white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red.
step 04
Paint the hair using a mix of yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and white, following the direction of the strands.
step 05
Define the features of the face, paying attention to the subtle shadows and highlights.
step 06
Paint the clothing with burnt umber and gray, adding highlights and shadows to create form.
step 07
Add the red moon using a mix of red and a touch of brown.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed.

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · Yellow ochre · Titanium white · Burnt umber

secondary · Cadmium red · Payne's gray

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. The background is a mix of Prussian blue and a touch of black. Browns are created with burnt umber and a touch of blue or red.

techniques