plate no. 3530

The Open Book

Juan Gris, 1925

oil, canvasCubismstill lifestill lifebookfruittablecubismgeometric

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand geometric abstraction and how to represent three-dimensional objects in a simplified, faceted manner. It will also develop skills in color mixing and creating subtle value changes within a limited palette.

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 arrangement on the canvas, focusing on proportions and angles.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background and the table.
step 03
Define the individual facets of the objects (book, fruit bowl, etc.) with distinct color variations.
step 04
Mix and apply subtle value changes within each facet to create a sense of depth and form.
step 05
Add details like the lines of text in the book and the individual grapes.
step 06
Refine the edges of the shapes and adjust the colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.
step 07
Add the dark accents and shadows to enhance the geometric structure.
step 08
Let dry and add a final layer of varnish.

color palette

primary · red ochre · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · payne's gray · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Achieve the various shades of gray and brown by mixing white with small amounts of raw umber, red ochre, and payne's gray. Use ultramarine blue to create the cooler tones for the fruit.

techniques

·geometric abstraction
·faceted planes
·limited palette
·color blocking
·value gradation

common pitfalls

→Overcomplicating the color palette.
→Losing the geometric structure by blending too much.
→Not paying attention to the angles and proportions of the shapes.
→Making the text too detailed and distracting.

materials

surface · Stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Acrylic or oil paints
·Round brushes (#2, #4, #6)
·Flat brushes (#4, #8)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
·Rags

optional

·Medium gloss
·Easel
·Color chart

Use a canvas with a smooth surface to facilitate the application of clean, geometric shapes. Acrylics will dry faster, but oils will allow for more blending.

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