plate no. 5979

Cylinders

Karl Knaths, 1944

oilCubismstill lifecylindersgeometric shapesstill lifeabstractgrid

some experience helpful

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

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic grid structure and the placement of the major cylindrical and geometric forms.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color using simplified shapes and flat tones.
step 03
Mix and apply the various shades of pink, brown, and blue, paying attention to the subtle variations within each color block.
step 04
Add the details like the rows of circles and the smaller geometric elements.
step 05
Refine the edges of the shapes and adjust the values to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 06
Add the final details, such as the small white dots and the signature.
step 07
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · pink · brown · blue

secondary · white · black · yellow

Achieve the various pinks by mixing red and white with small amounts of brown or blue. Create the browns by mixing red, yellow, and blue in varying proportions. The blues are muted, so add a touch of brown or black.

techniques