plate no. 4435

Church and the Village of Montroig

Joan Miro, 1919

oil, canvasCubismlandscapevillagechurchlandscapegardenfigurearchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting helps students understand how to simplify complex scenes into geometric shapes and use color to define form and space. It also encourages experimentation with perspective and stylized representation.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the village, church, and garden, focusing on geometric forms.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, allowing for variations in tone.
step 03
Establish the main color blocks for the buildings, using muted yellows, oranges, and browns.
step 04
Define the garden areas with greens, reds, and yellows, using simplified shapes for plants and trees.
step 05
Add the figure of the gardener, simplifying the form into basic shapes.
step 06
Paint the foreground elements, including the bridge and water channel, using contrasting values.
step 07
Add details to the architecture, such as windows and arches, with simplified lines.
step 08
Refine the colors and shapes, paying attention to the overall balance and harmony of the composition.

color palette

primary · ochre · sky blue · sap green · burnt sienna

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue

Mix muted tones by combining complementary colors. Use white to lighten colors and create variations in value. Achieve earthy tones by mixing browns with greens and yellows.

techniques