plate no. 7395

La ville

Leopold Survage, 1911

oilCubismcityscapecityscapebuildingstreesarchitectureabstractcubist

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand the principles of cubism, including the deconstruction and reassembly of forms, and practice creating depth through overlapping geometric shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin by sketching the basic geometric shapes and their arrangement on the canvas, paying attention to the overall composition.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for each shape, using simplified versions of the colors.
step 03
Gradually refine the colors within each shape, adding subtle variations and highlights to create depth.
step 04
Define the edges of the shapes, using darker or lighter tones to create contrast and separation.
step 05
Add details such as windows, doors, and foliage, simplifying them into geometric forms.
step 06
Pay attention to the overall balance and harmony of the colors and shapes.
step 07
Add final touches and adjust values to enhance the overall composition.
step 08
Consider adding a glaze to unify the colors and create a cohesive look.

color palette

primary · ochre · burnt umber · gray · cream

secondary · orange · blue-gray · green

Mix ochre with white for lighter tones, and burnt umber with black for darker tones. Use small amounts of blue and green to create subtle variations in the grays and browns.

techniques