plate no. 7359

Portrait of Toty Rodríguez

Oswaldo Guayasamin, 1967

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurefacehairwomaneyes

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to simplify a portrait into basic shapes and planes, and how to use a limited color palette to create depth and form. It also provides practice in expressive brushwork and capturing a likeness with minimal detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the face, hair, and shoulders, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of red paint, varying the tone slightly.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the face using yellow, ochre, and green hues.
step 04
Paint the hair and clothing with dark brown and black, using visible brushstrokes to suggest texture.
step 05
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the shape and placement of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add highlights to the hair and face with lighter tones of yellow and white.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a sense of depth and harmony.
step 08
Add final details and clean up any edges.

color palette

primary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · viridian green · titanium white

Mix yellow ochre with small amounts of red and green to create the various skin tones. Use white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Mix burnt umber with black to create the dark tones for the hair and clothing.

techniques