plate no. 1698

Interior with Balcony

Louis Marcoussis, 1928

oilCubisminteriorinteriorbalconyguitarstill lifewindowtable

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand simplified forms and color blocking. It also provides practice in creating depth through overlapping shapes and varying values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the geometric forms.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background (sky and interior walls).
step 03
Define the shapes of the guitar, pitcher, and other objects with darker values.
step 04
Add details to the balcony and window, using thin lines for the railing.
step 05
Refine the shapes and edges, paying attention to the overlapping forms.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Check the overall balance and composition, making adjustments as needed.
step 08
Add the artist's signature in the lower right corner.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · yellow ochre · ivory black

secondary · titanium white · cadmium yellow light · raw sienna

Mix various shades of brown by combining burnt umber, yellow ochre, and ivory black. Use white to lighten the blues and yellows for the sky and pitcher.

techniques