plate no. 6901

Amsterdam

Oskar Kokoschka, 1925

oilExpressionismcityscapecityscapecanalbuildingsboatswatersky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose, expressive brushwork and capturing the essence of a scene rather than precise detail. It also encourages experimentation with color mixing to create a sense of atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings, canal, and boats.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with a thin wash of blues and grays for the sky and water.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the buildings using a limited palette of reds, browns, and whites.
step 04
Add details to the buildings, focusing on capturing the light and shadow with expressive brushstrokes.
step 05
Paint the boats in the foreground, paying attention to their reflections in the water.
step 06
Use short, broken brushstrokes to create texture and movement in the water and foliage.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values to create depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall effect.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red · payne's gray

Mix various shades of blue and gray for the sky and water. Use burnt sienna and cadmium red to create the warm tones of the buildings. Add white to lighten the colors and create highlights.

techniques