plate no. 8331

A House with a Flag

Werner Berg, 1961

oilExpressionismcityscapebuildingflagfigurestreetwindowsdoors

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in blocking in shapes and using visible brushstrokes to create texture. It also offers practice in color mixing to achieve the muted tones and shadows.

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 building, doors, windows, and figure, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the yellow of the building, the blue of the doors, and the purple of the street.
step 03
Add the darker tones to create shadows and define the forms.
step 04
Mix the colors for the flag and carefully paint its flowing shape.
step 05
Add details such as the window shutters and the architectural details of the building.
step 06
Refine the figure, paying attention to its proportions and posture.
step 07
Add final touches and highlights to create depth and interest.
step 08
Allow to dry and add a varnish if desired.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · red

secondary · green · purple · white

Mix yellow ochre with small amounts of ultramarine blue to create the muted yellow of the building. Use ultramarine blue and red to create the purple for the street. Mix white with the primary colors to create lighter tones.

techniques