plate no. 6618
Sur La Terrasse
André Lhote, 1945
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand color blocking and geometric abstraction. It's a good exercise in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using a limited palette effectively.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic geometric shapes and composition of the scene.
- step 02
Identify the main color blocks and areas for each color.
- step 03
Start by painting the largest areas with their base colors.
- step 04
Mix and apply secondary colors, focusing on achieving the right hues.
- step 05
Refine the shapes and edges of each color block.
- step 06
Add details like the stripes on the chair and the book on the table.
- step 07
Adjust the values and colors as needed to match the original painting.
- step 08
Let dry and add a varnish for protection.
color palette
primary · yellow · green · blue · red
secondary · pink · grey · orange · purple
Mix greens by combining yellow and blue, and achieve the muted tones by adding small amounts of complementary colors or grey.
techniques
- ·color blocking
- ·geometric abstraction
- ·flat color application
- ·color mixing
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating the shapes.
- →Using too many colors.
- →Not achieving the correct color values.
- →Losing the overall composition.
- →Uneven paint application.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic paints
- ·#4 flat brush
- ·#8 flat brush
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·water container
- ·paper towels
optional
- ·easel
- ·retarder medium
- ·varnish
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Acrylic paints are recommended for their quick drying time, but oil paints can also be used.
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