plate no. 9676

Peasant Farmer with his Goat

Marevna (Marie Vorobieff), 1953

oilCubismportraitportraitfigurelambgeometriccubismpeasant

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 to achieve muted and earthy tones.

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 of the figure, lamb, and background using a pencil.
step 02
Divide the background into geometric shapes as seen in the original painting.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the background shapes, starting with the lightest tones.
step 04
Establish the base colors for the figure's clothing and skin, focusing on the overall value.
step 05
Begin painting the lamb, using light washes to build up the form and details.
step 06
Add details to the face and hands, paying attention to the geometric planes.
step 07
Refine the edges of the shapes and add subtle color variations to create depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a sense of light.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · cerulean blue

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · sap green

Mix raw umber and white for the skin tones, adding small amounts of yellow ochre or burnt sienna for warmth. Use cerulean blue and white for the cooler background tones, and mix greens with yellow ochre and blue.

techniques