plate no. 1658

A House in the Steppe

David Burliuk, 1908

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismlandscapebuildingsskyfieldlandscapeclouds

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice layering colors and creating texture with visible brushstrokes. It also provides an opportunity to learn about simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blue, adding white for clouds.
step 03
Paint the fields with broad strokes of green, red, and brown.
step 04
Add the main building, focusing on its simple geometric form and light/shadow.
step 05
Paint the smaller buildings and structures in the background.
step 06
Refine the details of the buildings, such as windows and roof lines.
step 07
Add texture to the fields with short, broken brushstrokes.
step 08
Adjust the colors and values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · sky blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

secondary · white · green · brown

Mix sky blue with white for lighter areas of the sky. Combine yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the building's walls. Use varying amounts of green, red, and brown to create the field's colors.

techniques