plate no. 8546

Self-portrait with Skeleton

oil, canvasExpressionismself-portraitself-portraitskeletonwindowcityscapefiguretie

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, depicting textures with visible brushstrokes, and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. It also offers practice in capturing accurate proportions and rendering light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, skeleton, and window.
step 02
Establish the background cityscape with thin washes of color, paying attention to atmospheric perspective.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure and skeleton with broad strokes, focusing on value and proportion.
step 04
Begin to refine the details of the face, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 05
Add details to the skeleton, capturing the texture and form of the bones.
step 06
Develop the clothing and tie, using visible brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Refine the window frame and other background elements.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, umber, ochre, and a touch of sienna. Use ultramarine to cool down shadows. Mix black and umber for the darkest areas.

techniques