plate no. 8901
Cubist city
Endre Bartos, 2004
suitable for beginners
Recreating this painting helps develop skills in simplifying complex scenes into geometric shapes and using bold brushstrokes to create texture and form.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and the tower, focusing on their geometric forms.
- step 02
Divide the canvas into distinct color areas based on the buildings, sky, and street.
- step 03
Begin with the sky, applying a base layer of dark blue with visible brushstrokes.
- step 04
Fill in the building shapes with their respective colors, using thick paint and bold, directional brushstrokes.
- step 05
Mix and apply variations of each color to add depth and dimension to the buildings.
- step 06
Define the edges of the shapes with contrasting colors to emphasize the cubist style.
- step 07
Paint the street with a mix of blues and purples, using horizontal brushstrokes to suggest its direction.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to enhance the texture and form of the painting.
color palette
primary · red · green · blue · yellow
secondary · purple · white · pink
Mix primary colors to create secondary colors. Use white to lighten colors and create variations.
techniques
- ·impasto
- ·broken color
- ·geometric abstraction
- ·color blocking
common pitfalls
- →Over-blending colors, losing the distinct shapes
- →Using too thin paint, lacking texture
- →Ignoring the direction of brushstrokes
- →Overcomplicating the composition
materials
surface · Stretched canvas
required
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·Canvas (12x16 or similar)
- ·Assorted brushes (flat and round)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Easel
optional
- ·Medium (for oil paints)
- ·Varnish
- ·Rags
Use heavy body acrylics or oil paints for best results. A palette knife can be helpful for applying thick paint.
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