plate no. 1158

Landscape in Ceret

Auguste Herbin, 1913

oilCubismlandscapebuildingtreeslandscapeskystone wallpath

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to break down complex scenes into geometric shapes and use color to define form and space within a cubist style. It also provides practice in applying paint with visible brushstrokes to create texture and visual interest.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic geometric shapes that define the building, trees, and landscape elements.
step 02
Divide the canvas into the larger color areas, blocking in the main shapes with diluted paint.
step 03
Begin to refine the shapes and add more detail to the building, focusing on the brickwork and shadows.
step 04
Develop the trees, paying attention to the angles and the way they intersect with the geometric background.
step 05
Add the stone wall in the foreground, using small brushstrokes to create the texture of the stones.
step 06
Refine the color palette, adding highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Use thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes to add texture and visual interest to the painting.
step 08
Step back and make any necessary adjustments to the composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · green · brown · ochre · blue

secondary · red · pink · yellow · black

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and create earth tones by mixing browns, ochres, and blacks. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·geometric abstraction
·broken color
·visible brushstrokes
·color layering
·planar construction

common pitfalls

→Oversimplifying the geometric shapes, losing the sense of depth and space
→Using too many colors, creating a chaotic and confusing composition
→Failing to capture the light and shadow effects, resulting in a flat and lifeless painting
→Not paying attention to the overall composition, leading to a disjointed and unbalanced artwork