plate no. 1973

Harlequins

tempera, watercolor, paper, cardboardCubismgenre paintingharlequinfiguresguitarstagemaskgeometric shapes

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand cubist principles of fragmented forms and multiple perspectives, as well as practice color mixing to achieve the muted tones and create depth.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the harlequin figure, guitar, and background elements.
step 02
Divide the composition into geometric planes, simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.
step 03
Begin applying base colors to each plane, starting with the largest areas and working towards smaller details.
step 04
Mix and apply the muted color palette, paying attention to the subtle variations in tone and hue.
step 05
Add details to the harlequin's face and costume, using thin lines and small brushstrokes.
step 06
Paint the guitar, focusing on the perspective and the details of the strings and frets.
step 07
Refine the background elements, adding depth and texture with subtle color variations.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to enhance the overall composition.

color palette

primary · ivory · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

secondary · cerulean blue · cadmium red light · sap green

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and adding white or grey to dull the intensity. Use thin washes of color to build up layers and create depth.

techniques