plate no. 7615

BEYOND THE GATE

Gerard Sekoto, 1947

oilExpressionismcityscapecityscapefiguresbuildingsgatestreetshadows

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting light and shadow and using expressive brushstrokes to convey mood and texture. It's also good practice for simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings, figures, and the gate.
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow with a thin wash of color.
step 03
Block in the larger shapes of the buildings and figures using simplified color masses.
step 04
Develop the details of the gate, paying attention to the interplay of light and shadow on the metal.
step 05
Refine the colors and values in the buildings and figures, adding subtle variations.
step 06
Add details to the ground and street, suggesting texture and form with brushstrokes.
step 07
Adjust the overall composition and color balance to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · raw umber · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red · titanium white

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining raw umber, yellow ochre, and ultramarine blue. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Add small amounts of red to warm up the browns and grays.

techniques

·blocking in
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·broken color
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Getting bogged down in details too early.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Overmixing colors and creating muddy tones.
→Ignoring the importance of expressive brushstrokes.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·Oil paints (raw umber, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, cadmium red, titanium white)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (flat and round)
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Palette knife