Study of a Head 

Charles William Mitchell created this "Study of a Head" using oil on canvas. The painting is a study of a male head in profile, dominated by a palette of earth tones. Mitchell’s use of light and shadow creates a dramatic chiaroscuro effect. Notice how the artist uses visible brushstrokes to model the form, giving the face a sense of texture and depth. The background is muted, which keeps our focus firmly on the subject’s face. Mitchell’s composition is carefully structured. The profile view allows Mitchell to explore the contours of the face, emphasizing the lines of the nose, mouth, and jawline. The turn of the head gives the piece an implied dynamism, as if the subject is caught in a moment of thought or contemplation. This creates a sense of psychological depth, going beyond a mere physical depiction. The visible brushstrokes are not just about describing form; they are about conveying a sense of vitality and the artist’s own process.