plate no. 5952

Self-Portraits (Harlequin and Pierrot) - with Vasiliy Shukhaev

Alexandre Jacovleff, 1914

oilNeoclassicismself-portraitfiguresharlequinpierrotcostumesinteriorportraits

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in rendering figures with detailed costumes and understanding subtle value shifts to create form. Students will also learn to create a sense of depth and atmosphere in an interior setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the proportions and placement of the figures.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, muted color, creating a sense of depth.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures, focusing on their overall forms and poses.
step 04
Begin adding details to the costumes, such as the triangles on the harlequin's suit and the ruffles on the pierrot's outfit.
step 05
Carefully render the faces, paying attention to the subtle value changes that create form and expression.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume and dimension.
step 07
Refine the details of the background and foreground, such as the checkered floor and the objects on the table.
step 08
Add final touches and adjustments to create a cohesive and polished painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt sienna · yellow ochre

secondary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light

Mix white with small amounts of yellow ochre and burnt sienna to achieve the off-white tones of the Pierrot's costume. Use burnt sienna and cadmium red light for the harlequin's costume, adjusting the ratio for lighter and darker shades.

techniques