plate no. 7461

The Resurrection of Cuauhtemoc

David Alfaro Siqueiros, 1950

pyroxylin, masoniteMuralismhistory paintingfigurearmorhorsebattlefirehistorical

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting complex forms with dynamic lighting and understanding the use of color to convey drama and movement. It also provides practice in rendering textures like metal and flesh using expressive brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, horse, and background elements.
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow using a thin wash of burnt umber.
step 03
Begin layering in the local colors of the figure's armor, the horse's body, and the surrounding flames.
step 04
Develop the details of the armor, paying attention to the reflections and highlights.
step 05
Refine the forms of the horse and the figure, using darker values to create depth and dimension.
step 06
Add the fiery background, blending the colors to create a sense of movement and energy.
step 07
Introduce secondary colors to enhance the overall color harmony and visual interest.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve the metallic sheen of the armor by mixing white with small amounts of blue and umber. Create the fiery colors by blending reds, oranges, and yellows with touches of black and brown for depth.

techniques