plate no. 3175

Self-Portrait with Wilma van der Meulen

Carel Willink, 1934

oilMagic Realismself-portraitfiguresportraitstatueskyarchitecturegarden

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, rendering realistic textures, and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in mixing subtle color variations to achieve realistic skin tones and fabric textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the proportions and placement of the figures, statue, and background elements.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the main areas of light and shadow with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin refining the details of the figures, focusing on the facial features, clothing folds, and hand gestures.
step 04
Work on the statue, capturing its form and texture through careful observation and rendering of light and shadow.
step 05
Develop the background, creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective and subtle color variations.
step 06
Add the details of the architecture and garden elements, paying attention to their texture and form.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting the values and colors as needed to create a cohesive and balanced image.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of red. Use black and umber to create the dark tones of the clothing and background. Mix blues and browns for the sky.

techniques