plate no. 5493

Chatham Square

Franz Kline, 1948

oilExpressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingsfiguresstreetarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand abstracting from reality and using expressive brushstrokes to convey form and atmosphere. It also encourages exploration of color relationships within a limited palette.

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 structure of the buildings and street using a thin brush or charcoal.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, focusing on the overall value and temperature of each section.
step 03
Begin to define the edges of the shapes with bolder, more visible brushstrokes.
step 04
Introduce darker values to create depth and contrast, particularly in the shadows.
step 05
Add highlights and lighter values to suggest light and form.
step 06
Refine the details and add smaller brushstrokes to create texture and visual interest.
step 07
Pay attention to the relationships between the colors and adjust as needed to create a harmonious composition.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall effect, making any final adjustments to the composition, color, or value.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · raw umber · titanium white · viridian green

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of brown and green by combining burnt sienna, raw umber, viridian green, and white. Use small amounts of cadmium red and yellow ochre to add warmth and variation to the browns.

techniques