plate no. 6751

New York

Albert Gleizes, 1915

oilCubismcityscapecityscapebuildingsarchitecturegeometric shapesurbansignage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand cubist principles of representing multiple perspectives and develop skills in simplifying complex scenes into geometric forms. It also provides practice in color blocking and creating depth through overlapping shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin by sketching the basic shapes and lines of the buildings and signage, focusing on the overall composition.
step 02
Break down the complex forms into simpler geometric shapes like rectangles, triangles, and lines.
step 03
Establish the darkest and lightest areas to create a sense of depth and contrast.
step 04
Block in the main color areas, starting with the largest shapes and working towards the smaller details.
step 05
Mix and apply the secondary colors, paying attention to how they interact with the primary colors.
step 06
Define the edges of the shapes with darker outlines to emphasize their geometric nature.
step 07
Add details like windows and architectural elements using a fine brush.
step 08
Refine the colors and values to achieve a harmonious and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · red · yellow · black · white

secondary · green · blue · brown · grey

Achieve the various shades by mixing primary colors with black and white. Use yellow and blue to create green, and red and blue to create purple. Experiment with mixing browns and greys to add depth.

techniques