plate no. 4401

Muy Mago (portrait of Aleister Crowley)

Xul Solar, 1961

oilSurrealismportraitportraitabstractfacesymbolseyegeometric shapes

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in abstracting forms and using a limited color palette to create a cohesive composition. It also encourages experimentation with line work and symbolic representation.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic outline of the face and the placement of key features (eye, nose, mouth, circles).
step 02
Add the geometric shapes and lines that define the abstract features.
step 03
Block in the background color with a light wash of yellow and orange.
step 04
Establish the base skin tone using a mix of yellow, orange, and a touch of brown.
step 05
Begin shading the face to create depth and form, focusing on the areas around the nose, eye, and jawline.
step 06
Paint the details of the eye, circles, and other geometric shapes with their respective colors.
step 07
Outline the shapes and lines with darker browns and blacks to define them.
step 08
Add the blue ring around the neck and the small flame at the top.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · raw umber

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · black

Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of raw umber. Use white to lighten and adjust the intensity. Mix red and brown for the lip color.

techniques