plate no. 0608

Composition III (Still life)

Theo van Doesburg, 1916

oil, canvasCubismstill lifestill lifegeometric shapescirclestrianglesabstractplants

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand geometric abstraction and color relationships within a limited palette. It also provides practice in creating depth through overlapping shapes and subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and their placement on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for each shape using thinned paint.
step 03
Gradually build up the color intensity and refine the edges of the shapes.
step 04
Add subtle shading and highlights to create a sense of depth.
step 05
Pay attention to the overlapping of shapes and how they interact with each other.
step 06
Mix and apply the background colors, ensuring they complement the shapes.
step 07
Add the frame colors, paying attention to the color division.
step 08
Refine details and adjust colors as needed to match the original painting.

color palette

primary · ochre · green · red · white

secondary · blue · brown · yellow · gray

Mix various shades of ochre by adding white, brown, or a touch of red. Create muted greens by mixing yellow and blue with a touch of brown or black. Achieve the off-white background by mixing white with a small amount of ochre and gray.

techniques