plate no. 5827

WOMEN WITH DOWNCAST EYES

Gerard Sekoto, 1955

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurewomanheadeyesexpression

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork, color mixing for skin tones, and capturing mood through pose and color choices. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

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 head, neck, and shoulders, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of yellow and blue, allowing some areas to remain unpainted for texture.
step 03
Apply a base layer of blue to the face and neck, varying the shades to create depth.
step 04
Add red and brown tones to the hair and lips, using short, choppy brushstrokes.
step 05
Introduce highlights and shadows to the face, using lighter and darker shades of blue and yellow.
step 06
Refine the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small, precise brushstrokes.
step 07
Add final touches of color and texture to the background and clothing.
step 08
Allow to dry and add a varnish.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Yellow Ochre · Burnt Sienna

secondary · Titanium White · Cadmium Red

Mix Prussian Blue with Yellow Ochre to create various shades of green and blue-green for the skin. Use Burnt Sienna and Cadmium Red to achieve the hair color. Add Titanium White to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·Impasto
·Dry brushing
·Color layering
·Expressive brushwork
·Simplification of form

common pitfalls

→Overblending the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Getting bogged down in details too early.
→Not capturing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Incorrect proportions of the face.

materials

surface · Stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Acrylic or oil paints (Prussian Blue, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, Titanium White, Cadmium Red)
·Assorted brushes (flat and round)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)

optional

·Painting medium (e.g., linseed oil or acrylic glazing medium)
·Easel
·Apron

Consider using a textured canvas to enhance the impasto effect. Experiment with different brush sizes and types to achieve the desired brushstroke texture.

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