plate no. 4956

Building activities on KNSM island in Amsterdam

Paul Werner, 1991

gouache, watercolor, paperExpressionismcityscapecityscapecranesbuildingsskycloudsindustrial

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice layering techniques and capturing the essence of a scene with expressive brushstrokes rather than precise details. It's a good exercise in simplifying complex subjects.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, cranes, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with a diluted blue wash, leaving areas for clouds.
step 03
Add the basic shapes of the clouds using white and gray, blending edges.
step 04
Establish the main colors of the buildings and cranes with broad strokes.
step 05
Layer in details and textures using thicker paint and visible brushstrokes.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and form.
step 07
Refine the composition by adjusting colors and values as needed.
step 08
Add final details and accents to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · payne's gray

Mix various shades of blue and gray for the sky and buildings. Use yellow ochre and raw umber for the industrial elements. Burnt sienna is used sparingly for accents.

techniques