plate no. 2034

Marika with her dog and cats

Marevna (Marie Vorobieff), 1968

oilCubismnude painting (nu)figurecatsdogplantsinteriorchair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand cubist abstraction and how to simplify complex forms into geometric shapes. It will also improve color mixing skills to achieve the subtle variations in the skin tones and foliage.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and composition, focusing on the geometric forms.
step 02
Block in the main color areas: green for the drapery, red for the chair, and the basic skin tones.
step 03
Mix and apply the various shades of green for the plants and drapery, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Develop the skin tones with subtle variations, using thin layers of paint.
step 05
Paint the animals, simplifying their forms into geometric shapes.
step 06
Add details to the vase and the flowers.
step 07
Refine the background and the floor.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form.

color palette

primary · green · red · white · black

secondary · blue · yellow · brown · pink

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, adding white for lighter shades and brown for darker shades. Skin tones can be achieved by mixing white, red, yellow, and a touch of blue.

techniques