plate no. 0621

The Bread Maker

Louay Kayyali, 1974

oilExpressionismgenre paintingfigurewomanbowlsaltseatedportrait

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create texture and depicting the human form in a seated pose. It also provides practice in capturing a mood or emotion through pose and expression.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, bowl, and background.
step 02
Establish the background colors with thin washes, paying attention to the horizontal divisions.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the figure's clothing and skin, using a limited palette.
step 04
Begin layering colors to build up texture and depth, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 05
Refine the facial features and expression, paying close attention to the eyes and mouth.
step 06
Add details to the bowl and its contents, focusing on the subtle variations in tone.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a sense of harmony and balance.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · sap green

secondary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light

Mix yellow ochre with burnt sienna for the skin tones, adding small amounts of white or red to adjust the warmth. Use sap green mixed with raw umber for the clothing, varying the proportions to create different shades.

techniques