plate no. 7959

Cover Design for G. Stein's Picasso

gouache, paperContemporary Realismportraitportraitfacemanheadfigure

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing for skin tones and layering brushstrokes to create form and texture. It also encourages observation of subtle value changes and the use of color to define planes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the face and head.
step 02
Block in the main areas of light and shadow with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin layering colors to build up the skin tones, focusing on the warm and cool areas.
step 04
Define the features of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, with more detail.
step 05
Add the colorful abstract shapes on the right side of the face, paying attention to their placement and color relationships.
step 06
Refine the edges and details of the painting, adding highlights and shadows as needed.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and value contrast to create a cohesive image.
step 08
Add final details and touch-ups to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · raw sienna · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · sap green

Mix various combinations of raw sienna, burnt umber, and titanium white to achieve different skin tones. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create grays for shadows. Mix secondary colors to add vibrancy to the abstract shapes.

techniques