plate no. 5883

The Murmur

Wifredo Lam, 1943

oilCubismsymbolic paintingfigurecubismabstracttreessymbolicportrait

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in abstracting forms and using expressive brushstrokes to create texture and depth. It also provides practice in simplifying a complex subject into geometric shapes and lines.

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 composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and background elements.
step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, using a limited palette of earth tones, grays, and greens.
step 03
Define the shapes and forms with thicker paint and bolder brushstrokes, adding texture and variation to the colors.
step 04
Use black lines to outline and emphasize the key features of the figure and the surrounding environment.
step 05
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension, paying attention to the direction of light.
step 06
Introduce small amounts of red and other accent colors to add visual interest and contrast.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed, ensuring that the painting maintains a cohesive and expressive quality.
step 08
Allow to dry and add a varnish layer for protection.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · payne's gray

secondary · cadmium red light · sap green · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of gray by combining white, black, and a touch of umber. Create muted greens by mixing yellow ochre with payne's gray and a small amount of sap green.

techniques