plate no. 5655

Still LIfe with Pomegranates and Knife on a Pedestal

Louis Marcoussis, 1925

oilCubismstill lifestill lifepomegranatesknifepedestaltablefruit

some experience helpful

This painting provides a great opportunity to understand cubist abstraction and how to break down complex forms into simpler geometric shapes. Students will learn to simplify color palettes and focus on the interplay of shapes and planes.

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 still life, focusing on the geometric forms.
step 02
Divide the canvas into the major color blocks, paying attention to the abstract shapes.
step 03
Begin filling in the large areas of color, starting with the background and table.
step 04
Mix the colors for the pomegranates and the knife, using a limited palette.
step 05
Add details to the pedestal and the knife, focusing on the geometric shapes and shadows.
step 06
Refine the edges of the shapes and adjust the colors as needed.
step 07
Add the small details like the dots in the background.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting.

color palette

primary · red · blue · white · green

secondary · brown · black · cream · gray

Mix different shades of blue by adding white or black to the primary blue. Create the green by mixing blue and yellow, and adjust the tone with white or brown.

techniques