plate no. 7311

Manufacturers

Fernand Leger, 1950

oilNaïve Art (Primitivism)genre paintingfiguresconstructionindustryskycloudsarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand geometric abstraction and the use of bold outlines to define shapes. It also provides practice in mixing and applying flat color fields.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, paying attention to the angles and proportions of the architectural elements and figures.
step 02
Divide the canvas into distinct areas for each color.
step 03
Begin with the background sky, applying a flat, even layer of blue.
step 04
Paint the large geometric shapes (beams, ladders) using flat colors, starting with the most dominant colors like red, yellow, and black.
step 05
Mix and apply the skin tones for the figures, using simple shading to suggest form.
step 06
Add details to the figures, such as clothing patterns and facial features, using thin lines and small shapes.
step 07
Outline all shapes with black to define the forms and create a sense of separation.
step 08
Add final details like the rope and cloud shapes.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · cadmium yellow · black · white

secondary · grey · brown · ochre

Mix various shades of grey by combining black and white. Create skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use white to lighten the blue for the clouds.

techniques