plate no. 6337

The Cloud

Juan Gris, 1921

oil, canvasCubismstill lifestill lifeguitarnewspapertablewindowcloud

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to break down complex objects into geometric forms and practice using a limited color palette to create a cohesive composition. It also introduces the concept of overlapping shapes to create depth.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic geometric shapes and their placement on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background and largest shapes.
step 03
Refine the shapes and add details like the guitar strings and newspaper text.
step 04
Mix and apply the various shades of brown, blue, and yellow, paying attention to the subtle variations.
step 05
Add the black outlines to define the shapes and create contrast.
step 06
Create the cloud shape in the background using white and light blue.
step 07
Add the highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth.
step 08
Touch up any areas that need refinement and add the final details.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

secondary · titanium white · black

Mix browns with burnt umber and small amounts of blue or yellow. Achieve lighter shades by adding white, and darker shades by adding black or a touch of burnt umber to the blue.

techniques