What Is The Best Method For Painting A Portrait Of Yourself

Painting a self-portrait is a great way to hone your craft in the same way many of the great painters did (Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, Durer). Here are some tips for painting a portrait of yourself.

• Study Yourself

Look into a mirror and study your face very closely. Focus on each part of your face and notice the small details of each area (nose, eyes, cheeks etc.). These small details make your face recognizable and unique. Also consider your psychological state at the time and think about how you want to portray that in the portrait. The psychological element was very evident in many of Van Gogh's self-portraits.

• Set Up

Make sure your painting area is well lit and set up a lamp next to your work if you need more lighting. Improper lighting can affect your color choice, so it is important to give yourself good visibility. Set up a mirror next to your easel so you can quickly glance at your reflection while painting. If you are painting from a photograph make sure to set it next to your work for quick reference.

• Sketch

Do a rough sketch of your face with a pencil. Make sure to pay attention to the details so you don’t leave them out once you begin to paint. Being more detailed with the sketch will also help you to better shade the painting.

• Under-Painting

Once you have finished the sketch you can start to do the under-painting. This is the background of the painting and is usually done in a monochromatic color scheme (black and white). This will bring out the light and dark tones in the painting. Make sure to do this in a thin layer so it will be easier to blend the colors later.

• The Colors

Refer to the mirror to get your truest skin tone when mixing the colors (rather than your hands, which will be darker). After the under-painting has dried, start adding colors to the portrait. If you need to, add a medium to thin the consistency of the paint. This will help the two layers to blend together better.

• The Details

Use as round sable brush (fine) to add in details like the mouth, eyes, nose, eyebrows, and moles/birthmarks. Use a fan brush to paint smaller details like eyelashes and freckles. After you are finished, leave your work alone for a couple of days. Come back to it with fresh eyes to see if you missed any details.