plate no. 1581

Acrobats Macro and Microcosms

Maruja Mallo, 1981

oilExpressionismgenre paintingfiguresacrobatsgeometric patternscelestial motifshuman formsdecorative elements

advanced study

Students would develop skills in figure drawing, understanding human anatomy in motion, and creating balanced compositions with multiple elements. This work emphasizes precise line work and controlled color application.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with careful preliminary sketches of the two main figures, focusing on their proportions and poses
step 02
Map out the overall composition, establishing the relationship between figures and decorative elements
step 03
Block in the background with neutral tones, creating subtle gradations
step 04
Develop the figure forms with careful attention to anatomy and gesture
step 05
Add the geometric and celestial decorative elements, maintaining precise shapes
step 06
Refine facial features and expressions with delicate brushwork
step 07
Apply final details to the ornamental motifs using controlled, precise strokes
step 08
Balance the overall tonality and make final adjustments to ensure compositional harmony

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · payne's gray · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · dioxazine purple · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow pale

Achieve flesh tones by mixing yellow ochre with white and touches of raw umber. Create the blue decorative elements with ultramarine blue mixed with white and purple accents.

techniques