plate no. 1716

The Prophet (self Portrait)

oilExpressionismself-portraitportraitfigurecityscapebuildingsmountainsbeard

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as creating depth through atmospheric perspective in the background cityscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the basic shapes of the figure, buildings, and mountains.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the figure's skin, clothing, and hair using thin washes.
step 03
Establish the background sky and mountains with broad strokes, focusing on the overall color harmony.
step 04
Begin adding details to the buildings, paying attention to perspective and light/shadow patterns.
step 05
Refine the figure's features, gradually building up layers of color to create form and volume.
step 06
Add details to the clothing, including the buttons and subtle folds.
step 07
Work on the beard and hair, using short, directional strokes to create texture.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of brown and beige by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue to cool down the browns and create shadows. Add yellow ochre to create warmer highlights.

techniques