Peploe was one of artists now known as the Scottish Colourists. However, in his early work, he tended to use a restricted palette of dark colours, as in this self-portrait. The fluidity of his handling of paint can also be seen here. Peploe was influenced by the dark tones used by the Dutch painter Frans Hals, whose work he had seen in the National Gallery in Edinburgh. Edouard Manet was also an influence. In 1910 Peploe moved to Paris where, under the impact of painters like Matisse, he began to use brighter colours.