plate no. 7354

From the Dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz to the Revolution – The People in Arms

David Alfaro Siqueiros, 1957

oilExpressionismgenre paintingfigurescrowdhatsstairshistoricalrevolution

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting crowds, using expressive brushstrokes, and understanding color temperature to create depth and form. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into manageable shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main figures and the overall composition, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the large shapes of color, starting with the background and working forward.
step 03
Establish the darkest and lightest values to create a sense of depth and form.
step 04
Begin adding details to the figures, paying attention to the direction of light and shadow.
step 05
Use expressive brushstrokes to create texture and movement.
step 06
Mix and apply secondary colors to add depth and visual interest.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values as needed.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · red · yellow · blue · brown

secondary · green · purple · orange

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors. Use white to lighten values and black to darken. Browns are created by mixing red, yellow, and blue.

techniques