plate no. 1754

Autumn in Murnau

Wassily Kandinsky, 1908

oil, panelExpressionismlandscapelandscapetreesmountainsskypathvillage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using expressive brushstrokes to convey form and texture. It also encourages experimentation with color to create mood and atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes: the mountains, the large tree, the path, and the general areas of the fields.
step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes of blues and grays, establishing the overall mood.
step 03
Define the mountain range using darker blues and purples, simplifying the forms into geometric shapes.
step 04
Paint the large tree with a base of dark blue and green, then add dabs of red, orange, and yellow to represent the autumn leaves.
step 05
Fill in the fields with varying shades of green, using directional brushstrokes to suggest the contours of the land.
step 06
Add the path with a mix of blues and whites, creating a sense of depth and perspective.
step 07
Paint the smaller trees and village buildings with simplified shapes and colors.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed, focusing on capturing the overall impression rather than precise realism.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Cadmium Yellow · Crimson Red · Viridian Green

secondary · Titanium White · Ultramarine Blue · Burnt Sienna

Mix different blues with white to create the sky and mountains. Combine yellows and blues for various greens in the fields. Use red and yellow for the autumn leaves, and mix with blue to create darker shades.

techniques

·Impasto
·Broken color
·Color layering
·Simplification of form
·Expressive brushwork

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality
→Using colors that are too saturated and creating a jarring effect
→Failing to simplify the forms and ending up with a cluttered composition
→Not establishing a clear focal point

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·Oil paints (Prussian Blue, Cadmium Yellow, Crimson Red, Viridian Green, Titanium White)
·Assorted brushes (flat and round)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife