plate no. 1895
Head
Alekos Kontopoulos, 1939
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in tonal value painting and expressive brushwork to capture emotion. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, hood, and shoulders.
- step 02
Establish the darkest areas with a thin wash of black or dark grey.
- step 03
Build up mid-tones using diluted washes, gradually increasing the value.
- step 04
Use thicker paint and visible brushstrokes to define the facial features and details.
- step 05
Add highlights with lighter grey tones, focusing on areas where light hits the face.
- step 06
Refine the edges and contours of the figure to create a sense of depth.
- step 07
Add linear details with a fine brush or pen to enhance the expression.
- step 08
Adjust the overall tonal balance to achieve the desired mood.
color palette
primary · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · payne's grey
Mix various shades of grey by combining black and white in different ratios. Use payne's grey to add a subtle blueish tint to some areas.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·washes
- ·scumbling
- ·hatching
- ·tonal painting
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality.
- →Creating muddy or flat tones by not layering the washes properly.
- →Ignoring the underlying structure of the face and creating a distorted image.
- →Failing to establish a strong value range, resulting in a lack of contrast.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·mineral spirits
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·payne's grey oil paint
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas to allow for both smooth blending and visible brushstrokes. Consider using a toned canvas to speed up the process.
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