plate no. 2053
Landscape with black figure
Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso, 1915
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using color to define form and create depth.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the figure, the building, and the vertical elements.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the dark figure, the orange/yellow tones of the building and ground, and the blue/green of the sky and trees.
- step 03
Add the red vertical elements, paying attention to their placement and thickness.
- step 04
Refine the shapes of the building and the figure, adding details like the headscarf and the bananas.
- step 05
Introduce subtle variations in color within each area to create depth and interest.
- step 06
Add darker tones to create shadows and define the forms.
- step 07
Use short, visible brushstrokes to add texture and energy to the painting.
- step 08
Step back and make any final adjustments to the composition and color balance.
color palette
primary · black · orange · yellow · blue
secondary · red · green · white
Mix various shades of orange and yellow by combining yellow with red and white. Achieve the blues and greens by mixing blue with white and yellow.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·broken color
- ·visible brushstrokes
- ·color mixing
- ·simplification
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the simplified, expressive style.
- →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Not capturing the energy and movement of the brushstrokes.
materials
surface · Stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas 16x20
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·Round brushes (various sizes)
- ·Flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·Odorless mineral spirits (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·Painting medium
- ·Easel
- ·Apron
Use a medium-grain canvas for better texture. Acrylic paints are easier to clean up, while oil paints offer richer colors and blending capabilities.
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