plate no. 4152

Abduction of Europa

Rudolf Bér, 1982

oilExpressionismmythological paintingfiguresmythologylandscapetreesbullsky

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, simplified color mixing, and expressive brushwork to convey movement and emotion. It also provides practice in creating a dynamic composition with multiple focal points.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of figures and the bull.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and water.
step 03
Establish the main values of the figures and the bull, paying attention to light and shadow.
step 04
Develop the details of the landscape, using expressive brushstrokes to create texture.
step 05
Refine the figures, adding details to the faces and bodies.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Adjust the colors and values as needed to create a harmonious composition.
step 08
Add final details and refine the brushwork.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red

Mix skin tones using white, red, and a touch of umber or yellow ochre. Achieve the blue of the water by mixing ultramarine with white, and adjust the shade with a touch of umber.

techniques

·blocking in
·expressive brushwork
·color mixing
·figure drawing
·layering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
→Using colors that are too saturated or unnatural.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and dimension.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, burnt umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·rags