plate no. 4671

Chiesa del Cestello

Ottone Rosai, 1944

oilExpressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingsskytowertreeswater

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors and creating texture with visible brushstrokes to depict a cityscape. It also encourages simplification of forms and capturing the overall mood rather than precise details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, tower, and horizon line with light pencil strokes.
step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes of blue and gray, blending slightly to create cloud effects.
step 03
Apply the base colors for the buildings and tower, using a mix of greens, grays, and whites.
step 04
Add darker values to the shadows on the buildings and tower to create depth.
step 05
Paint the red roof details and the small trees in the foreground.
step 06
Create the water reflection with horizontal strokes of blues, greens, and grays, mirroring the colors above.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to the buildings and tower, using small brushstrokes.
step 08
Review the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments to balance the colors and values.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · cadmium red · sap green · payne's gray

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow, and create various shades of gray by mixing white and black. Use red sparingly for accents on the roofs and tower.

techniques

·dry brushing
·layering
·scumbling
·color mixing
·simplified forms

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing, resulting in a flat and uninteresting palette.
→Failing to establish a clear value structure, making the painting appear muddy or undefined.
→Not simplifying the forms enough, resulting in a cluttered and confusing composition.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·acrylic or oil paints
·round brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·flat brush (size 6)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
·mineral spirits or turpentine (for cleaning brushes)

optional

·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
·easel
·apron

Use a canvas with a medium texture to enhance the visibility of the brushstrokes. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.

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