apprentice
artistsserieslearnchatartworkscommunity gallery
apprentice

deliberate practice for serious artists

aboutgalleryprivacyterms
built by reducibl.com
home·artworks·Still Life with Gingerpot 2
Still Life with Gingerpot 2 by Piet Mondrian

plate no. 7352

Still Life with Gingerpot 2

Piet Mondrian, 1912

oil, canvasCubismstill lifestill lifeginger pottablecubismvessel
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand the fundamentals of cubist abstraction and practice simplifying complex forms into geometric shapes. It also provides practice with a limited color palette and creating subtle tonal variations.

technical profile

palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the ginger pot and other objects.

  2. step 02

    Divide the canvas into a grid of rectangles and squares, following the underlying structure of the painting.

  3. step 03

    Block in the main color areas: the green of the ginger pot, the yellows of the boxes, and the grays of the background.

  4. step 04

    Refine the shapes and colors, paying attention to the subtle tonal variations within each area.

  5. step 05

    Add the dark lines that define the edges of the shapes, using a thin brush.

  6. step 06

    Create highlights and shadows to give the objects a sense of depth.

  7. step 07

    Check the overall balance and composition, making any necessary adjustments.

  8. step 08

    Let dry and add a varnish if desired.

color palette

primary · pale green · gray · yellow ochre · white

secondary · brown · pink

Mix the pale green by combining white with a touch of green and blue. Achieve the various grays by mixing white with small amounts of black, brown, and blue. Use yellow ochre mixed with white and brown for the boxes.

techniques

  • ·color mixing
  • ·geometric abstraction
  • ·grid composition
  • ·limited palette
  • ·linear definition

common pitfalls

  • →Overcomplicating the shapes.
  • →Using too many colors.
  • →Ignoring the underlying grid structure.
  • →Making the lines too thick or uneven.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
  • ·Acrylic or oil paints (pale green, gray, yellow ochre, white, brown, pink)
  • ·Round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
  • ·Palette
  • ·Palette knife
  • ·Linseed oil or acrylic medium
  • ·Odorless mineral spirits or water (for cleaning brushes)
  • ·Ruler

optional

  • ·easel
  • ·painting medium
  • ·varnish

Use a canvas with a smooth surface to facilitate the application of paint in flat, even layers. Acrylics are easier for beginners, while oils allow for more subtle blending.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

related guides

oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →
chat about this artwork

in this vein

related artworks

Komposition

Komposition

Leo Leuppi

Landscape near Martigues

Landscape near Martigues

Andre Derain

Windmill

Windmill

Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso

Untitled (Husain's Family)

Untitled (Husain's Family)

M.F. Husain

At the bar

At the bar

Carlos Saenz de Tejada

Figures by a Rock Pool

Figures by a Rock Pool

Dorrit Black

Postava

Postava

Josef Capek

Gelmeroda III

Gelmeroda III

Lyonel Feininger