plate no. 7422

Still Life, Tin of Tea and Pot of Tobacco

Roger de La Fresnaye, 1913

oilCubismstill lifestill lifecubismtabletea tintobacco potgeometric shapes

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand the simplification of forms and the use of value to create depth in a limited color palette. It also introduces the basic concepts of cubist abstraction.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and their placement on the canvas, focusing on the overall composition.
step 02
Define the outlines of the objects, paying attention to the overlapping and intersecting forms.
step 03
Block in the darkest areas with the darkest shade of blue/black.
step 04
Add mid-tones to create volume and depth, blending edges slightly.
step 05
Use lighter shades of blue to define the lighter areas and highlights.
step 06
Refine the details and edges, adding subtle variations in tone.
step 07
Check the overall balance and adjust values as needed.
step 08
Add the signature in the bottom right corner.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Payne's Grey

secondary · Titanium White

Mix Prussian Blue with Payne's Grey to achieve the darker tones. Add small amounts of Titanium White to create lighter shades of blue for highlights and mid-tones.

techniques