plate no. 6253

Still Life with Books and Vase

Gustave Buchet, 1959

oilCubismstill lifestill lifebooksvasecupeggtable

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand the simplification of forms and the use of geometric shapes to represent objects. It also provides practice in color mixing to achieve muted tones and subtle value shifts.

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.
step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Define the geometric planes and edges of each object with slightly darker or lighter tones.
step 04
Mix and apply the subtle color variations within each plane to create depth and form.
step 05
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the objects.
step 06
Refine the edges and shapes, paying attention to the relationships between objects.
step 07
Add the small details, such as the rim of the cup and the highlights on the vase.
step 08
Review the painting and make any necessary adjustments to the colors, values, and shapes.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · cadmium orange · sap green

Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth tones with white and small amounts of complementary colors. Use orange to add warmth and green to cool down areas.

techniques