Creating a Cubist-Inspired Acrylic Painting: From Reference Photos to Finished Piece

There’s something deeply rewarding about exploring new styles and techniques. In the past few years I have embarked on a journey to create Cubist-inspired art works. I’m enjoying exploring cubism through landscape, figure painting and still life.

I’m excited to share the process of my most recent painting “Strawberries in a golden vessel” with you. You can find the whole process in my most recent You Tube video HERE.

This piece was merely born from a wish to combine the colours red and gold in a painting. I have an aesthetic love of strawberries and thought they would look fabulous sat in a golden bowl. Here’s a step-by-step look at how this painting came to life.

Creating the Perfect Reference Photos

The process began with creating reference photos. For this piece, I focused on creating images that offered interesting shapes and dynamic perspectives. Cubism is all about breaking down objects into geometric forms and reassembling them in imaginative ways. So I tried to take photos with strong lines and bold contrasts—a combination of architectural elements and still life objects. I didn’t have a golden bowl, so went out and purchased something to make my vision come alive! I picked up this golden desk tidy from TK Maxx. I filled it with tissue paper so that the strawberries would have the appearance of overflowing from the vessel.

I tried various placements of the vessel on a white background. I even tried adding tomatoes instead of strawberries! These references photos will be used in some of my future paintings. Feel free to use them for your own art works if you wish!

Once I had a collection of references, I used them as a loose guide. I always keep in mind that the goal isn’t replication but reinterpretation.

Planning the Composition

In Cubism, the composition is key; it’s about creating a sense of movement and structure that draws the viewer in. I decided on a layout that juxtaposed sharp angles of the golden vessel with the soft curves of the strawberries. Using thinned down acrylic paint, I sketched the basic design directly onto the canvas. I like to work this way to insure there is room for experimentation as the painting evolves.

Building the Base Layers

With the composition mapped out, I started applying the first layers of acrylic paint. For the base, I used muted blue tones. Acrylics are perfect for this stage because they dry quickly, allowing me to layer colors and refine shapes without delay. I worked with a more broader palette than I usually do. I found myself focusing on reds, deep blues, and warm ochres with a touch of viridian green. These colors provided a strong foundation while leaving room for brighter accents later. To begin I painted the still life in an impressionist style. I did this to map out the painting ready to add cubist elements later on.

Adding Depth and Detail

Once the base layers were dry, I began building on my painting to create a cubist style. I added depth by introducing darker shadows and lighter highlights. Using a combination of brushes and palette knives, thick impasto paint and gloss medium I played with texture and transparency. One of the joys of acrylic paint is its versatility; by thinning it with medium, I could create translucent layers that added dimension to the piece. I also used bold outlines to emphasize certain areas, guiding the viewer’s eye through the composition.

Embracing the Cubist Aesthetic

To fully capture the spirit of Cubism, I incorporated fragmented shapes and overlapping planes. This involved breaking down the strawberries, the vessel and it’s shadows into abstract forms. I paid close attention to breaking up the background creating visual tension. The process felt like solving a puzzle, where each piece needed to fit while leaving room for interpretation.

Final Touches

The final stage was all about refinement. I added small details, like fine lines and subtle highlights, to bring the painting to life. I also stepped back frequently to assess the overall balance, ensuring no area felt too heavy or too sparse.

Reflecting on the Process

Creating this Cubist-inspired acrylic painting of strawberries was a fun experience. I enjoy thinking beyond traditional realism and embracing abstraction. For any artists interested in trying Cubism, I recommend allowing yourself the freedom to explore. Using cubist techniques you can redefine your subject matter on your own terms.

This piece taught me to trust my instincts and push myself to create without the limits of realism. In the future I’d like to try painting this subject again. Next time I’d like to start with a dark background and to stick to a more limited colour palette. I’d like to really focus on the gold and the red.

I hope this glimpse into my creative journey inspires you to pick up your acrylics and venture into the world of Cubist art!

see you soon!