plate no. 1136

Still Life with Acropolis in the Background

Konstantinos Parthenis, 1931

oil, canvasCubismstill lifestill lifewine glassesfruitbottlearchitecturebuilding

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand layering techniques and how to create a sense of depth with a limited palette. It also encourages simplification of forms and exploration of geometric shapes within a representational context.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the still life objects (glasses, fruit bowl, bottle) and the architectural background.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the main lines of the Acropolis in the background.
step 03
Block in the large areas of color: the background sky, the table, and the general tone of the objects.
step 04
Begin layering the darker tones to define the shadows and create depth within the objects.
step 05
Add subtle highlights to the glasses and fruit to suggest form and light reflection.
step 06
Refine the details of the Acropolis, focusing on the geometric shapes and the play of light and shadow.
step 07
Blend the edges of the shapes to create a soft, diffused effect.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed to achieve a cohesive composition.

color palette

primary · raw umber · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · payne's grey · yellow ochre

Mix the raw umber and white to create the base tone for the still life objects and the table. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky, and mix in a touch of raw umber to create a muted blue. Payne's grey can be used for subtle shadows and to darken the blues.

techniques