plate no. 7655

Church on Lenox Avenue

William H. Johnson, 1940

oilExpressionismcityscapechurchbuildingscityscapeskystreet

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplified shapes, bold color choices, and expressive brushstrokes to create a stylized cityscape. It also encourages understanding of color relationships and simplification of details.

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 church, focusing on their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue or white, leaving space for the clouds.
step 03
Apply the primary colors (blue, red, yellow) to the buildings, using bold, visible brushstrokes.
step 04
Mix secondary colors (orange, brown) to add depth and variation to the buildings.
step 05
Add details such as windows and doors, using simplified shapes and contrasting colors.
step 06
Define the edges of the buildings and church with darker outlines to create separation.
step 07
Paint the street with a light gray or blue, adding shadows to create depth.
step 08
Add final touches such as highlights and details to enhance the overall composition.