plate no. 8800

Man's Head

Arshile Gorky, 1925

oil, fiberboardCubismportraitportraitfacecubismfigureheadabstract

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students understand the use of geometric shapes to construct a portrait and explore a limited color palette to create depth and form. Students will also learn to apply paint in distinct strokes to build texture and visual interest.

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 of the face, focusing on the geometric structure.
step 02
Block in the background with a neutral gray-brown tone, using visible brushstrokes.
step 03
Establish the main areas of color on the face, such as the yellow highlights and purple shadows.
step 04
Add the darker tones around the eyes and mouth to create depth.
step 05
Introduce the grid-like pattern on the face with thin, light-colored lines.
step 06
Refine the shapes and colors, adding details and adjusting values.
step 07
Add the white highlights and linear details to enhance the abstract quality.
step 08
Finish by adding the red and white details at the bottom.

color palette

primary · gray · yellow · purple · black

secondary · white · red · orange · brown

Mix grays by combining black and white with small amounts of yellow or brown. Achieve the purple by mixing red and blue with a touch of white to soften the tone.

techniques