plate no. 0031
Melon Head
Vajda Lajos, 1936
suitable for beginners
This painting is great for practicing simplified shapes and limited color palettes. Students can learn to create a portrait with minimal details and expressive brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the head, hood, and background.
- step 02
Block in the background with a solid layer of orange.
- step 03
Paint the hood and face with dark gray/black, leaving some areas lighter for highlights.
- step 04
Add the facial features with simple lines and shapes.
- step 05
Introduce the details of the clothing and the circular element.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to define the form.
- step 07
Refine the edges and details with visible brushstrokes.
- step 08
Let dry and add a varnish if desired.
color palette
primary · orange · black · gray
secondary · yellow ochre · brown
Mix orange from red and yellow. Create grays by mixing black and white, adding a touch of brown for warmth.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·dry brushing
- ·simplified shapes
- ·limited palette
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details
- →Blending colors too much
- →Not simplifying the shapes enough
- →Using too many colors
materials
surface · Stretched canvas
required
- ·Canvas or painting panel
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·Orange paint
- ·Black paint
- ·Gray paint
- ·#8 flat brush
- ·#4 round brush
optional
- ·Palette knife
- ·Medium for blending
- ·Varnish
Use a textured canvas to enhance the brushstroke visibility. Acrylics will dry faster, while oils allow for more blending time.
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