plate no. 7147

A pressure of Tegernsee

Paul Klee, 1919

watercolorExpressionismcityscapecityscapechurchmountainsskygeometric shapesbuildings

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing, layering watercolor washes, and simplifying complex scenes into geometric forms. It also encourages experimentation with color relationships and abstract representation.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic geometric shapes and the placement of the church.
step 02
Apply a light wash of blue for the sky area, allowing it to blend and create variations.
step 03
Paint the red sun shape with a diluted red watercolor.
step 04
Fill in the mountain shapes with varying shades of green, layering washes to create depth.
step 05
Add the church details using a fine brush and diluted blues, browns, and grays.
step 06
Paint the surrounding geometric shapes with different colors, allowing them to bleed and blend slightly.
step 07
Add small details like the trees at the base of the mountain with a fine brush.
step 08
Let dry completely and add any final touches or corrections.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · crimson red · viridian green

secondary · purple · orange · yellow ochre

Mix different shades of green by combining blue and yellow. Achieve purple by mixing red and blue. Dilute colors with water to create transparent washes.

techniques

·watercolor washes
·wet-on-wet blending
·color layering
·geometric abstraction
·dry brush texture

common pitfalls

→Overworking the washes and losing transparency.
→Using too much water and causing the colors to run excessively.
→Not allowing each layer to dry completely before applying the next.
→Being too precise with the geometric shapes, losing the loose, expressive feel.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paints
·watercolor paper (140lb)
·round watercolor brushes (various sizes)
·flat watercolor brush
·palette for mixing paints
·water container
·pencil
·eraser

optional

·masking fluid
·palette knife
·ruler

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for better blending. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varying levels of detail.

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