plate no. 3988

Self Portrait with Scorpion

Leonor Fini, 1938

oilMagic Realismself-portraitportraitfigurewomangloveclothinghair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering skin tones. It will also provide practice in depicting fabric textures and creating a sense of depth through subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, paying attention to the overall composition.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of paint.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, clothing, and glove, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 04
Begin to refine the shapes and contours of the face, adding details to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Develop the form of the clothing by adding highlights and shadows, paying attention to the folds and creases.
step 06
Work on the details of the hair, using small brushstrokes to create texture and volume.
step 07
Add the details of the glove and the scorpion bracelet.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and balanced painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · burnt sienna

secondary · cadmium red light · ivory black

Mix skin tones by blending white, raw umber, and a touch of cadmium red light. Use ivory black to darken shadows and create contrast.

techniques

·portraiture
·blending
·layering
·value study
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the figure.
→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Muddying the colors by over-mixing.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and form.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas
·Oil paints (raw umber, titanium white, burnt sienna, cadmium red light, ivory black)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags