How to Draw a Cubist Portrait
The 20th century revolutionized the world of art with the emergence of avant-garde movements, which broke all the conventions of representation. Among them, Cubism holds a special place: radical, geometric, and revolutionary. In this article, we will briefly explore its origins before applying its principles to the creation of a portrait.
Where and how was Cubism invented?
At the beginning of the 20th century, Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque introduced the world to what many consider to be the first avant-garde movement of the century. Invented in Paris in 1907, Cubism was shaped as it went through several stages of development.
It began with a phase inspired by the principle of decomposition into simple forms, as practiced by the master Cézanne. Artists then moved on to the analytical phase, where form became geometry and objects were completely broken down in order to be depicted from all perspectives. A few years later came the synthetic phase, with the intention of producing more recognizable images with compositions featuring simplified forms.
Portrait of Pablo Picasso (1912), Juan Gris / Violin and Candlestick (1910), Georges Braque
The principles of Cubism applied to portraiture
Cubism was based on a series of rules that defined its style. Here are the ones that apply in our case:
- Every object must be broken down by geometrization.
- In a single view, it should be possible to see all the faces of an object.
- No depth, just planes that blend into the image.
- A strong influence of African art and the master Cézanne.
Choose and prepare your reference model
Taking these principles into account, take several photos of your model from different angles. It is important to have multiple perspectives so that you can capture elements from all views and create an overall image.
Also, remember that this is a movement where representation is linked to feeling. Take the elements that attract your attention and set aside all logic.
How to draw a Cubist portrait step by step
Start with a very general sketch, without any facial features; it’s simply about defining the space in which you will arrange the elements.
Next, superimpose the lines: roughly position the eyes, nose, and mouth in the chosen pose, then start adding other views, such as a profile view. Keep it simple to avoid turning the sketch into an incomprehensible jumble.
Add a third front view to find a more balanced distribution. Soften the features with a kneaded eraser to increase clarity. This process can be done on tracing paper by layering the sheets, or directly in your mind; the idea is to explore the possible results of superimposing three different views.
Draw the features of the face
Use the nose as a reference point; here, a profile nose adds more expressiveness. Place an eye in profile at a natural distance, then outline the eye socket on the other side and add the three-quarter gaze.
Continue by adding lines from different views, merging them if necessary, as for the lips, which are drawn both in profile and from the front. A few decorative lines to suggest volume in the cheek area can also add to the image.
Finish with the hair. As a more organic element, it can follow a reference or be a random fusion of the three views, without being too rigidly applied.
Lines play a central role in Cubism. Start with thick lines that outline and simplify the lines of the sketch, moving away from realistic depiction.
Once the outline drawing is finished, gently erase the sketch. You can add secondary lines to add an extra aesthetic touch.
Add color to the portrait
Use several types of browns to draw the outlines; this creates an interesting chromatic richness. Draw long lines that connect to each other, even if this doesn't always seem logical. Let yourself be guided by your intuition.
For the skin, use your knowledge of shadows to create different overlapping volumes. Keep it simple; what we want is for the overlapping layers to remain clearly visible.
For hair, use different shades of brown and ocher, seeking a chromatic balance. Solid blocks of color in certain areas can be as impactful as gradients.
Finalize your drawing
Paint the background with geometric shapes in one or more colors. If you use the same shades as in the portrait, the figure will naturally blend into its environment, an effect that is very characteristic of the Cubist style.
Take a step back, observe your painting, and refine the details, shadows, gradients, or lines that can still enhance the overall effect.
And here is your Cubist portrait, completed more than a century after the birth of this revolutionary movement. Cubism is one of those styles that truly liberates the artist: no strict rules of perspective, no need to strive for perfect resemblance, just an exploration of shapes and angles. See you soon!