plate no. 6709
Cubist Landscape ( The City Park)
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand how to simplify complex forms into geometric shapes and use color to create depth and volume. It also provides practice in creating texture with visible brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the trees and landscape, focusing on simplifying the forms.
- step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes of blue and white, creating a sense of depth.
- step 03
Establish the dark areas of the trees using a dark green or black mix.
- step 04
Add highlights to the trees with lighter shades of green and yellow, following the direction of light.
- step 05
Paint the field with horizontal strokes of green, yellow, and red, creating texture and depth.
- step 06
Refine the shapes and edges of the trees and landscape, adding details as needed.
- step 07
Add shadows under the trees to ground them in the scene.
- step 08
Review and adjust colors and values to achieve the desired effect.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · viridian green · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · burnt umber
Mix greens by combining blue and yellow. Create darker shades by adding burnt umber or black. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·color layering
- ·geometric simplification
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating the shapes of the trees.
- →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
- →Ignoring the direction of light and shadow.
- →Making the brushstrokes too uniform and lacking texture.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (flat and round)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use a medium-textured canvas to enhance the visibility of brushstrokes. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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