plate no. 3501
La Plume Jaune
Jean Metzinger, 1912
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand cubist principles of fragmentation and reassembly, as well as how to represent form through geometric shapes and subtle value changes. It also offers practice in rendering textures like lace using simplified forms.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the overall composition, focusing on the major shapes and lines that define the figure and background elements.
- step 02
Divide the figure and background into geometric planes, simplifying the forms into triangles, rectangles, and other angular shapes.
- step 03
Begin blocking in the main colors for each plane, using a limited palette of browns, blues, yellows, and whites.
- step 04
Gradually refine the colors and values within each plane, creating subtle shifts in tone to suggest form and depth.
- step 05
Add details such as the lace and the patterns in the background, simplifying them into geometric representations.
- step 06
Use thin glazes to blend edges and create a sense of atmosphere.
- step 07
Add the small red accent on the lips.
- step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition, ensuring that the geometric shapes are balanced and harmonious.
color palette
primary · ivory black · titanium white · burnt umber · Prussian blue
secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre
Mix various shades of gray by combining black and white, and use burnt umber to create warm browns. Use Prussian blue to create cool grays and blues. Add small amounts of red and yellow to create warmer tones.
techniques
- ·geometric abstraction
- ·planar analysis
- ·glazing
- ·limited palette
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating the geometric shapes.
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure.
- →Using too many colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Neglecting the subtle shifts in tone within each plane.
- →Losing the overall sense of form and composition.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil or acrylic medium
optional
- ·painting easel
- ·retarder medium
- ·varnish
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. For oil paints, use odorless mineral spirits for cleaning brushes.
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