plate no. 5147

Greengrocer Apollo

Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghikas, 1939

oilCubismcityscapecityscapestill lifearchitectureinteriorfiguresfruit

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to break down complex scenes into geometric shapes and explore color relationships within a limited palette. It also provides practice in creating texture with brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic geometric shapes and lines of the composition, focusing on the overall structure.
step 02
Block in the main color areas using simplified shapes, paying attention to the relationships between colors.
step 03
Refine the shapes and edges, adding more detail to the architectural elements and still life objects.
step 04
Introduce variations in color and value to create depth and dimension within each shape.
step 05
Add texture using visible brushstrokes, especially in areas like the walls, floor, and fruit.
step 06
Define the outlines of key objects and shapes with darker tones to enhance contrast.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of form and volume.
step 08
Review the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments to balance the colors and shapes.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · burnt sienna · gray · white

secondary · ochre · pink · green · black

Mix various shades of gray by combining white with small amounts of black, burnt sienna, and blue. Achieve the pink by mixing white and burnt sienna. Use ochre to create warm highlights and shadows.

techniques