plate no. 2894

Muž s dýmkou

Josef Capek, 1920

oilCubismportraitportraitmanpipehatcubismgeometric

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand geometric abstraction and how to simplify complex forms into basic shapes. It also provides practice in color mixing and layering to achieve subtle tonal variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic geometric shapes of the composition, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of dark green, allowing some canvas to show through for texture.
step 03
Mix and apply the main colors for the hat, face, and clothing, using flat, even strokes.
step 04
Add the lighter yellow background area, blending slightly where it meets the darker green.
step 05
Define the facial features and details like the pipe and hand with smaller brushes and more precise strokes.
step 06
Create the dotted pattern on the lower right using a small brush or the end of a brush handle.
step 07
Add subtle highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension within the geometric forms.
step 08
Review and adjust the colors and values to match the original painting, paying attention to the overall balance.

color palette

primary · dark green · tan · yellow · skin tones

secondary · red · black · white

Achieve the dark green by mixing phthalo green with burnt umber and a touch of black. Skin tones can be created by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a small amount of red.

techniques