plate no. 0992

The Andalusian Reapers

Andre Masson, 1935

oilCubismsymbolic paintingskeletonslandscapefieldmountainsskybirds

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand geometric abstraction and the use of color to create depth and mood. It also provides practice in figure drawing with a stylized, simplified approach.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the geometric layout of the field and the placement of the figures.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the yellow/ochre tones of the field.
step 03
Add the darker shadows and highlights to define the geometric shapes in the field.
step 04
Sketch the skeletons, simplifying their forms into basic shapes.
step 05
Paint the skeletons, using a limited palette of dark browns and blacks, and add internal details with red and green.
step 06
Add the details of the landscape, including the mountains, sky, and birds.
step 07
Refine the colors and values, adjusting the contrast to create depth and interest.
step 08
Add final details and touch-ups as needed.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · red · green · white

Mix the field colors by blending yellow ochre with varying amounts of burnt umber and white. Create the sky colors by mixing ultramarine blue with white and a touch of burnt umber.

techniques