plate no. 2323

Arab Town

Wassily Kandinsky, 1905

cardboard, temperaExpressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingsfiguresskytreesarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand color temperature and how to use simplified shapes to represent complex forms. It also provides practice in creating depth through color and value changes.

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, figures, and landscape, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and ground.
step 03
Establish the darkest shadows and lightest highlights to create a sense of depth.
step 04
Add details to the buildings, such as windows, doors, and architectural features.
step 05
Paint the figures, using simple shapes and colors to represent their clothing and features.
step 06
Refine the colors and values, paying attention to the relationships between different areas of the painting.
step 07
Add final details, such as highlights on the buildings and figures, and shadows on the ground.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white · burnt sienna

secondary · cadmium red · sap green · violet

Mix white with yellow ochre and a touch of burnt sienna for the sunlit buildings. Use ultramarine blue and burnt sienna for the shadows. Mix greens from blue and yellow, and violets from blue and red.

techniques