plate no. 8341

Mystischer Kopf: Frauenkopf - gelber Mund

Alexej von Jawlensky, 1917

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfacefigureabstracthead

suitable for beginners

Recreating this painting will help students understand color blocking and simplified form representation. It also encourages experimentation with non-realistic color palettes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic outline of the head and facial features.
step 02
Divide the face into distinct areas for color blocking.
step 03
Apply the base colors to each section, focusing on distinct shapes.
step 04
Add darker outlines to define the features and edges.
step 05
Introduce secondary colors and blend slightly within each block.
step 06
Refine the shapes and colors, adjusting for balance.
step 07
Add details like the eyes and mouth.
step 08
Consider adding a background color.

color palette

primary · purple · yellow · brown · turquoise

secondary · green · orange · pink

Mix purple from red and blue, and create variations by adding white or brown. Achieve turquoise by mixing blue and green with a touch of white.

techniques

·color blocking
·simplified shapes
·outlining
·limited blending
·expressive color

common pitfalls

→over-blending colors
→making the shapes too realistic
→using too many colors
→losing the overall composition

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·canvas or painting paper
·acrylic or oil paints
·round brushes (various sizes)
·palette
·water or solvent

optional

·palette knife
·easel
·apron

Acrylic paints are recommended for beginners due to their fast drying time. Consider using a toned canvas for a more muted effect.

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