plate no. 1445

Carousel

Vilmos Aba-Novak, 1931

tempera, woodExpressionismgenre paintingcarouselfigurescrowdhorsesarchitecturefestivity

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using expressive brushstrokes to convey movement and energy. It also encourages experimentation with color mixing to achieve a vibrant yet harmonious palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the carousel structure and the overall composition, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the background, carousel canopy, and the general areas where the figures will be.
step 03
Start defining the individual figures with simple shapes and colors, paying attention to their poses and interactions.
step 04
Add details to the carousel horses and other elements, using thicker paint and visible brushstrokes.
step 05
Introduce highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension, focusing on areas where light is most prominent.
step 06
Refine the details of the figures' clothing and faces, using smaller brushes for precision.
step 07
Add final touches and adjustments to the colors and values to enhance the overall vibrancy and expressiveness.
step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary corrections to balance the composition and color harmony.

color palette

primary · red · yellow · blue · brown

secondary · purple · orange · white · grey

Achieve the various skin tones by mixing red, yellow, and brown with white. Create the blues and purples by mixing blue with red and white. Muted tones are achieved by adding complementary colors.

techniques