plate no. 7171

Two women with the toilet, final state

Fernand Leger, 1920

oilCubismportraitfigurestill lifecubismgeometric shapesportraittable

some experience helpful

This painting helps students understand how to abstract forms and create depth using value and color. It also provides practice in geometric composition and color blocking.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic geometric shapes and their placement on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color with flat tones, focusing on the background first.
step 03
Begin to add gradients and shading to the figures to create a sense of volume.
step 04
Refine the shapes and edges of the figures, paying attention to the transitions between light and shadow.
step 05
Add details to the still life elements, such as the bottle and spheres.
step 06
Adjust the values and colors to create a cohesive and balanced composition.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to enhance the sense of depth and form.
step 08
Allow to dry and add a varnish layer for protection.

color palette

primary · black · white · yellow · gray

secondary · blue · purple · brown · orange

Achieve the gray tones by mixing black and white in varying proportions. Use yellow ochre for the yellow areas. Mix blue and red for the purple accents.

techniques