plate no. 1458

Medusa

oilSymbolismmythological paintingfiguremythologysnakeshairfacehorror

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating dynamic compositions with complex details. It also provides practice in rendering textures like hair and scales.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the circular composition and the placement of the figure and snakes.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin, hair, snakes, and background.
step 03
Begin layering in the skin tones, paying attention to the highlights and shadows to create form.
step 04
Develop the details of the face, focusing on the eyes and mouth.
step 05
Paint the snakes, using varying shades of green and brown to create depth and texture.
step 06
Add the pink flower-like details on the snakes.
step 07
Refine the hair, using thin brushstrokes to create individual strands.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ivory black

secondary · viridian green · alizarin crimson · titanium white

Skin tones are achieved by mixing yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and white, with small amounts of alizarin crimson for warmth. Greens are created by mixing viridian green with black and white for different shades.

techniques