plate no. 9548

Cemetery

Alice Bailly, 1913

oil, canvasCubismcityscapecityscapearchitecturetreesskycemeterybuildings

some experience helpful

This painting provides an opportunity to practice abstracting forms and using a limited color palette to create a cohesive composition. Students will learn to simplify complex scenes into geometric shapes and explore color relationships.

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 and composition of the buildings, trees, and sky, focusing on geometric forms.
step 02
Establish the main light and shadow areas using a mid-tone color.
step 03
Begin filling in the larger shapes with the dominant colors, working from dark to light.
step 04
Mix and apply secondary colors to add depth and variation to the forms.
step 05
Refine the edges of the shapes and adjust the color values to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 06
Add details to the architectural elements and trees using smaller brushes.
step 07
Blend edges where needed to soften transitions between shapes.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making final adjustments as needed.

color palette

primary · beige · light blue · green · brown

secondary · pink · purple · yellow · grey

Achieve the various shades of beige by mixing white with small amounts of brown, yellow, and pink. Create the greens by mixing blue and yellow, and adjust the intensity with white or brown.

techniques