plate no. 1668

Poutník

Josef Capek, 1922

oilCubismportraitportraitfiguremountainsskyscarfwalking stick

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop their understanding of geometric shapes and how to simplify complex forms. It also provides practice in color mixing and achieving smooth, even 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 and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Divide the figure into geometric planes, simplifying the forms.
step 03
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, starting with the background.
step 04
Gradually build up the colors in layers, focusing on achieving smooth transitions within each plane.
step 05
Add details like the scarf stripes and facial features, maintaining the geometric style.
step 06
Refine the edges of the shapes to create a sense of depth and form.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the figure.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a cohesive composition.

color palette

primary · gray · light green · light blue

secondary · brown · dark green · purple

Mix the light green by combining yellow and blue with a touch of white. Achieve the various grays by mixing black and white in different ratios. Use a touch of complementary colors to mute the tones.

techniques

·geometric abstraction
·color blocking
·smooth blending
·layering
·muted color palette

common pitfalls

→Overcomplicating the shapes and losing the geometric simplicity.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Failing to achieve smooth transitions between color planes.
→Ignoring the subtle value shifts that define the form.

materials

surface · Stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 16x20
·Acrylic or oil paints (gray, light green, light blue, brown, dark green, purple, white, black)
·Round brushes (#2, #4, #6)
·Flat brush (#8)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
·Linseed oil (if using oil paints)