plate no. 1102

The Moors

Karl Knaths, 1947

oilCubismlandscapelandscapehillsskywaterboats

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand simplified forms and color blocking to represent a landscape. It also provides practice in mixing muted tones and creating a sense of depth through color.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the hills, water, and boats, focusing on their simplified geometric forms.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue-gray mixture.
step 03
Apply the dark brown/black color to the large hill masses, using visible brushstrokes.
step 04
Paint the purple/blue shapes of the smaller hills, ensuring clean edges.
step 05
Add the white shapes representing the boats, paying attention to their placement and size.
step 06
Mix a darker brown/green for the foreground and apply with loose brushstrokes.
step 07
Add any subtle highlights or shadows to the hills and water to create depth.
step 08
Refine the edges of the shapes and adjust colors as needed.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · purple

Mix the sky color by combining ultramarine blue, white, and a touch of burnt umber. Create the purple hills by mixing ultramarine blue and a touch of red or magenta. The dark hills are primarily burnt umber with a hint of black or blue.

techniques