plate no. 1862
Christ
David Alfaro Siqueiros, 1965
some experience helpful
This painting is great for learning expressive brushwork and how to create a sense of form with limited color. Students can practice layering and scumbling techniques to achieve the textured and emotional effect.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic figure outline, focusing on proportions.
- step 02
Apply a thin wash of burnt umber to the entire canvas as an underpainting.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of dark and light using a mix of burnt umber and black for shadows, and raw sienna and white for highlights.
- step 04
Use bold, visible brushstrokes to define the planes of the face and body.
- step 05
Add drips and runs of thinned black paint to create a sense of movement and decay.
- step 06
Scumble lighter tones over darker areas to create texture and depth.
- step 07
Refine the details of the face, paying attention to the expressive qualities of the brushstrokes.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the contrast and drama.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · black
secondary · yellow ochre
Mix burnt umber and black for deep shadows. Use raw sienna and white for highlights, and add small amounts of yellow ochre to warm the highlights.
techniques
- ·dry brush
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·dripping
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the spontaneity of the brushstrokes.
- →Creating mud by over-mixing colors.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Not capturing the expressive quality of the original.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·Burnt umber oil paint
- ·Raw sienna oil paint
- ·Titanium white oil paint
- ·Black oil paint
- ·#8 flat brush
- ·#4 round brush
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·medium gloss
Use a canvas with a medium texture to enhance the brushstrokes. Consider using a fast-drying medium to speed up the drying time.
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