plate no. 0419

The Great Still-life

Bela Kadar, 1938

oilCubismstill lifestill lifeflowersgrapeswine glasstableclothvases

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand color relationships in a complex composition and practice simplifying shapes into geometric forms. It also provides practice in rendering textures and patterns with simplified brushwork.

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 placement of major elements.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for each object, using simplified shapes and colors.
step 03
Start defining the background pattern with broad strokes, capturing the overall feel.
step 04
Add layers of color to the flowers, building up the texture and variations.
step 05
Refine the shapes and colors of the grapes, paying attention to the highlights and shadows.
step 06
Work on the details of the tablecloth, capturing the folds and highlights.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to the entire painting, adjusting colors as needed.
step 08
Outline some shapes with darker colors to create definition.

color palette

primary · white · blue · red · brown

secondary · yellow · grey · black · green

Achieve the floral tones by mixing white with small amounts of red, yellow, and pink. Use blue and white to create the various shades of the vase. Mix browns with black and white for the background.

techniques