plate no. 7633

The New Adam

Sandor Bortnyik, 1924

oilCubismportraitfigurearchitecturegeometric shapesportraitcityscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in geometric abstraction, color blocking, and creating a sense of depth through simplified forms. It also provides practice in rendering a stylized portrait.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic geometric shapes and the figure's proportions using a pencil.
step 02
Divide the canvas into distinct color areas, paying attention to the perspective lines.
step 03
Begin painting the background areas with flat, even layers of color.
step 04
Mix the skin tones and paint the figure's face and hands, keeping the details minimal.
step 05
Paint the figure's clothing, focusing on the checkered pattern of the pants.
step 06
Add the details of the cane, the box, and the drawing on the wall.
step 07
Refine the edges of the shapes and colors to create a clean, graphic look.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the forms.

color palette

primary · sky blue · ochre · black · white

secondary · rose · grey · yellow

Mix the ochre by combining yellow with a touch of burnt sienna and white. Create the various shades of grey by mixing black and white in different proportions. The rose color can be achieved by mixing red and white.

techniques