plate no. 1607

El Presidente

Oswaldo Guayasamin, 1967

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfacefigureexpressionismpresident

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and understanding how to distort features for emotional impact. It also encourages exploration of color mixing to achieve specific skin tones and shadows.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the face with light pencil lines.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark green color, ensuring even coverage.
step 03
Begin applying the base skin tones using a mix of white, brown, and ochre, focusing on large areas.
step 04
Add darker values to define shadows and contours, paying attention to the planes of the face.
step 05
Introduce lighter values to highlight areas such as the forehead, nose, and chin.
step 06
Define the eyes with blue and black, adding highlights for realism.
step 07
Use bold black lines to outline key features and add emphasis to the expression.
step 08
Refine details and adjust colors as needed to match the original painting's expressive style.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

secondary · black · raw sienna · cadmium red (small amount)

Mix white with small amounts of burnt umber and yellow ochre to achieve various skin tones. Use ultramarine blue and white for the eye color. Add a touch of cadmium red to the skin tone mix for warmth.

techniques

·dry brush texture
·impasto
·expressive linework
·color layering
·blocking in

common pitfalls

→Over-blending, which can reduce the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch, leading to a distorted final image.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing, resulting in a flat and lifeless appearance.
→Ignoring the value structure, which is crucial for creating depth and form.