plate no. 7346

Head of a Woman

David Alfaro Siqueiros, 1936

pyroxylin, masoniteExpressionismportraitportraitfigurewomanheadclothingshadows

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing subtle tonal variations to create form. It will also improve their understanding of light and shadow and how it defines the subject.

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 head and shoulders on the masonite.
step 02
Establish the darkest shadow areas with a thin wash of burnt umber.
step 03
Gradually build up the mid-tones using mixtures of burnt umber, raw sienna, and a touch of red.
step 04
Add highlights using small amounts of titanium white mixed with the base tones.
step 05
Carefully blend the transitions between light and shadow to create a smooth, three-dimensional effect.
step 06
Define the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth with precise brushstrokes.
step 07
Paint the clothing with bold strokes of red and brown, paying attention to the folds and shadows.
step 08
Refine the edges and details of the painting to achieve a polished finish.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt umber and raw sienna, adjusting the ratio for lighter or darker areas. Use titanium white sparingly for highlights. Mix cadmium red with burnt umber to create the darker reds in the clothing.

techniques

·tonal blending
·chiaroscuro
·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Over-blending, which can result in a muddy or flat appearance.
→Incorrect proportions, which can distort the likeness of the subject.
→Ignoring subtle tonal variations, which can make the painting look unrealistic.
→Using too much white, which can make the painting look chalky.