Cubism:
What is it?
Taking
Perspective to a
New Level
Cubism:
Cubism was one of the most influential visual art styles of
the early twentieth century.
It was created by Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881–1973) and
and Georges Braque (French, 1882–1963) in Paris
between 1907 and 1914
Braque (left) and Picasso (right), Brassai, Photograph
Portrait of Amboise
Vollard, Picasso, 1910
Violin and Candlestick, Georges
Braque, Oil on Canvas, 1910.
It was a natural progression
from their collage work.
Georges Braque, Violin and Pipe, 'Le Quotidien‘, 1913, collage
Violin and Candlestick, Georges Braque, Oil on Canvas, 1910.
Cubist painters rejected the traditional idea that art
should copy nature, or that they should adopt the
“normal” techniques of perspective.
They wanted instead to emphasize the twodimensionality (flatness) of the canvas. So they reduced
and fractured objects into geometric forms. They also
used multiple or contrasting view points.
Portraits of Dora Maar, Picasso
Portrait of Amboise
Vollard, Picasso, 1910
Head of a Woman, Pablo
Picasso, Oil on canvas 1960
What are the common themes in
Cubist Portraits?
1. Multiple Views Overlapping (Side view +
Front View…)
2. Unrealistic Faces, Almost MASK like
3. Brightly Colored or Unrealistic Colors
4. Geometric (Hard Edged) Shapes
Your project:
You will be using watercolor, ink, salt and wax
to create your own Cubist inspired portrait.
Project Steps:
1.Experimentation with watercolor techniques (1
class)
2.Develop and Sketch out portrait LIGHTLY onto
watercolor paper (1-2 classes)
3.Apply wax if needed
4.Paint with watercolor, add salt to select area (2
classes)
5.Add accent with ink (1 class)
Timeline total: 6 classes
Criteria:
1. Use of watercolor techniques:
• wet on wet
• wet on dry
• wash
• salt
• wax
2. Proper understanding of Cubism: your portrait is geometric and
combines multiple perspectives into one image
3. Composition and Use of space: Portrait fills the space and is
balanced
4. Creativity and Originality: your portrait is unique
5. Finishing touches and details: Excellent care to the quality of the
finished piece