plate no. 9206

Café im Zürcher Belvoir-Park

Varlin, 1937

oilExpressionismcityscapecityscapeparkcafetreesfiguresarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice loose brushwork and capturing a scene's atmosphere with simplified forms. It's also a good exercise in creating depth through layering and value changes.

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 and composition: building, trees, and the general layout of the cafe area.
step 02
Establish the background with broad strokes of green and brown for the trees and foliage.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the cafe scene: the ground, tables, and figures, using a limited palette of grays, whites, and blacks.
step 04
Add details to the building and trees, focusing on capturing the texture with visible brushstrokes.
step 05
Refine the figures and tables, adding small touches of color to suggest clothing and details.
step 06
Introduce highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension, paying attention to the light source.
step 07
Add final touches, such as the dogs and any other small details that add interest to the scene.
step 08
Evaluate and adjust the overall balance and harmony of the painting.

color palette

primary · gray · white · brown · green

secondary · black · yellow ochre · raw umber

Mix various shades of gray by combining white with small amounts of black, brown, and blue. Use yellow ochre and raw umber to create warm browns and greens.

techniques