plate no. 0833

Composition with Guitar

Leo Leuppi, 1931

oilCubismstill lifeguitarstill lifegeometric shapesmusical instrumentabstractcubism

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand color relationships and geometric abstraction, as well as how to create a cohesive composition using simplified shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition lightly on the canvas, focusing on the placement of the guitar and geometric forms.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background and the main shapes of the guitar.
step 03
Refine the shapes and edges of the geometric forms, paying attention to the overlapping and intersecting lines.
step 04
Mix and apply the various shades of blue, red, brown, and white, creating subtle variations in tone.
step 05
Add the details such as the guitar strings and the small circles.
step 06
Adjust the values and colors as needed to create a balanced and harmonious composition.
step 07
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the overall effect.
step 08
Allow to dry and varnish if desired.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre · grey

Mix the browns by blending burnt sienna with black and white. Achieve the blues by mixing ultramarine with white for lighter shades. Use white to create tints and black to create shades of the other colors.

techniques