plate no. 9093

Green Eye Mask

Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso, 1915

oilCubismportraitportraitmaskfacegeometric shapesabstractfigure

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice bold brushstrokes, color mixing for vibrant and muted tones, and simplifying complex forms into geometric shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic outline of the face and mask, focusing on geometric shapes.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: red for the face, yellow for the nose, and dark tones for the background.
step 03
Add secondary colors like blue and green, focusing on the placement and shapes.
step 04
Develop the brushstrokes, using short, directional strokes to build up texture and form.
step 05
Refine the shapes and colors, paying attention to the relationships between them.
step 06
Add details such as the eyes and mouth, keeping them simple and geometric.
step 07
Adjust the overall balance of the painting, adding or subtracting color and texture as needed.
step 08
Let dry and add a varnish (optional).

color palette

primary · cadmium red · cadmium yellow · ultramarine blue · ivory black

secondary · viridian green · burnt umber · titanium white

Mix red and yellow for oranges, blue and yellow for greens, and add white or black to adjust the value of the colors.

techniques

·broken color
·impasto
·geometric abstraction
·color blocking
·directional brushstrokes

common pitfalls

→Overblending colors, losing the vibrancy.
→Getting bogged down in details.
→Not simplifying the forms enough.
→Using too much black and muddying the colors.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·acrylic or oil paints
·round brushes (various sizes)
·flat brushes (various sizes)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil or acrylic medium

optional

·easel
·painting rags
·turpentine or mineral spirits (for oil paints)
·varnish

Use a medium-grain canvas for better texture. Acrylics are faster drying and easier to clean up, while oils offer richer colors and blending capabilities.

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