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home·artworks·Two men with cockerel
Two men with cockerel by Vicente Manansala

plate no. 4400

Two men with cockerel

Vicente Manansala

oilCubismgenre paintingfiguresroosterstill lifegeometric shapesinteriorcubism
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to break down complex forms into geometric shapes and use a limited color palette to create a cohesive composition. It also provides practice in layering and blending colors to achieve subtle tonal variations.

technical profile

palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Lightly sketch the basic geometric shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the figures, rooster, and still life elements.

  2. step 02

    Block in the main color areas using a thin wash of diluted paint.

  3. step 03

    Begin refining the shapes and adding darker values to create depth and dimension.

  4. step 04

    Mix and apply the subtle color variations within each shape, blending edges where necessary.

  5. step 05

    Add details to the rooster, such as the comb and feathers, using smaller brushes.

  6. step 06

    Refine the highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensional effect.

  7. step 07

    Adjust the overall color balance and contrast as needed.

  8. step 08

    Add final details and touch-ups to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre

Mix burnt umber and ultramarine blue to create various shades of brown and gray. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Mix small amounts of cadmium red and yellow ochre to create warmer tones.

techniques

  • ·geometric abstraction
  • ·color layering
  • ·dry brushing
  • ·limited palette
  • ·tonal variation

common pitfalls

  • →Overcomplicating the geometric shapes.
  • →Using too many colors.
  • →Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
  • →Losing the overall composition by focusing too much on details.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas
  • ·acrylic or oil paints
  • ·round brushes (various sizes)
  • ·flat brushes (various sizes)
  • ·palette
  • ·palette knife
  • ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)

optional

  • ·easel
  • ·painting medium
  • ·varnish

Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Acrylic paints will dry faster, while oil paints allow for more blending time.

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related guides

oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →
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