plate no. 8575
Village, Church and Two Characters
Jean Metzinger, 1913
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand cubist abstraction and how to break down complex forms into geometric shapes. It also provides practice in color mixing to achieve muted tones and create a sense of depth.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic geometric shapes and composition of the scene, focusing on the relationships between the buildings, figures, and landscape elements.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, starting with the darkest values to establish the overall tonal range.
- step 03
Gradually build up the colors and values, layering paint to create depth and dimension within each geometric form.
- step 04
Pay attention to the edges of the shapes, varying their sharpness and softness to create visual interest.
- step 05
Mix subtle variations of each color to add richness and complexity to the painting.
- step 06
Refine the details of the figures and architectural elements, using small brushstrokes to suggest form and texture.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the shapes.
- step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making any necessary adjustments to the colors, values, or composition.
color palette
primary · Prussian Blue · Burnt Sienna · Titanium White
secondary · Yellow Ochre · Cadmium Red Light
Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors (e.g., blue and orange) with white. Use small amounts of red to warm up the browns and grays.
techniques
- ·Geometric abstraction
- ·Color layering
- ·Value gradation
- ·Broken color
- ·Edge control
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating the geometric forms
- →Using colors that are too saturated
- →Ignoring the overall value structure
- →Losing the sense of depth and space
- →Creating shapes that are too uniform
materials
surface · Stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas 16x20
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits or water
optional
- ·Medium gloss
- ·Easel
- ·Rags
Use a medium-tooth canvas to provide a good surface for layering paint. Acrylics are more beginner-friendly, while oils offer richer colors and blending capabilities.
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