plate no. 8788

Plate and Fruit Dish

Georges Braque, 1908

oil, canvasCubismstill lifestill lifefruitpearsgrapesdishviolin

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to simplify forms into geometric shapes and use a limited palette to create a cohesive composition. It also encourages observation of subtle value changes within a narrow range.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition of the objects, focusing on their simplified forms.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color with thin washes, establishing the overall value structure.
step 03
Refine the shapes and edges of the objects, paying attention to the overlapping planes.
step 04
Add subtle variations in color and value to create depth and dimension.
step 05
Define the shadows and highlights to enhance the three-dimensionality of the forms.
step 06
Blend edges where necessary to create smooth transitions between planes.
step 07
Add final details and adjustments to refine the composition.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · sap green · burnt sienna

Achieve the muted tones by mixing ivory black and white, and adding small amounts of raw umber or yellow ochre to warm or cool the grays. Use sap green and burnt sienna to create the green grapes.

techniques