plate no. 7791

Buildings

Elmer Bischoff, 1969

oilExpressionismlandscapebuildingscityscapeskytreesarchitecturelandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere. It will also help them simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and forms.

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 of the buildings and landscape, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes of blue, creating variations in tone.
step 03
Establish the main color masses for the buildings, using a mix of warm and cool tones.
step 04
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and rooftops, using smaller brushstrokes.
step 05
Paint the foreground landscape with greens and browns, varying the brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed.
step 08
Add final touches and ensure the painting has a cohesive feel.

color palette

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

secondary · viridian green · cadmium red · raw umber

Achieve the sky color by mixing ultramarine blue with white and a touch of yellow ochre. Mix browns by combining burnt sienna, raw umber, and ultramarine blue. Vary the greens by mixing viridian green with yellow ochre and white.

techniques

·broken color
·impasto
·alla prima
·scumbling
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
→Failing to establish a clear focal point.
→Not varying the brushstrokes enough to create texture and interest.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·acrylic paints (ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, titanium white, viridian green, cadmium red, raw umber)
·assorted brushes (flat and round)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags