plate no. 2685

Portrait de Jacques Nayral

Albert Gleizes, 1911

oilCubismportraitportraitfigurecubismgardentreessuit

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to break down complex forms into geometric shapes and use a limited palette to create a cohesive composition. It's a good exercise in understanding planes and value relationships.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and composition, focusing on the geometric forms.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the darkest values.
step 03
Gradually build up the mid-tones and highlights, defining the planes of the face and body.
step 04
Refine the edges of the shapes, adding subtle variations in color and value.
step 05
Add details to the face and hands, using small, precise brushstrokes.
step 06
Create the background by painting geometric shapes with varying shades of green, white and brown.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the tie and the paper in the figure's hands.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting.

color palette

primary · gray · white · black · brown

secondary · green · red · blue

Mix grays by combining black and white, and use small amounts of other colors to create subtle variations. Browns can be created by mixing red, yellow, and blue.

techniques