plate no. 9105
Head of a Woman
Georges Braque, 1909
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand how to break down complex forms into simpler geometric shapes and use a limited palette to create depth and dimension. It also provides practice in applying visible brushstrokes to define planes and edges.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic geometric shapes of the head and shoulders, focusing on the overall structure rather than details.
- step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the painting with a dark brown or black, paying attention to where the shadows fall on the face and clothing.
- step 03
Mix a range of warm browns and ochres for the skin tones, and apply them in distinct planes, following the geometric structure.
- step 04
Mix blues and grays for the head covering and clothing, using similar planar brushstrokes.
- step 05
Gradually build up the mid-tones and highlights, blending slightly at the edges of the planes to create a sense of form.
- step 06
Refine the details of the face, such as the nose and mouth, using small, precise brushstrokes.
- step 07
Add final touches of color and value to enhance the depth and dimension of the painting.
- step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the composition, making any necessary adjustments.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ultramarine blue
secondary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt sienna
Mix browns with blues to create cool shadows. Use white to lighten the skin tones and add highlights. Vary the intensity of the colors by adding small amounts of complementary colors.
techniques
- ·planar analysis
- ·broken color
- ·limited palette
- ·geometric abstraction
- ·visible brushstrokes
common pitfalls
- →Over-blending the colors, losing the geometric structure.
- →Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
- →Using too many colors, creating a muddy effect.
- →Ignoring the value contrasts, resulting in a flat image.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, ultramarine blue, titanium white, yellow ochre)
- ·#4 flat brush
- ·#8 flat brush
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·easel
- ·medium gloss
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a glazing medium to enhance the depth and luminosity of the colors.
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