plate no. 1374

Cottage in the Woods

Alexej von Jawlensky, 1903

oilExpressionismlandscapehousetreelandscapenightfoliagewindows

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and using visible brushstrokes to convey texture and movement. It also provides practice in capturing the effect of light in a nighttime scene.

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 house, tree, and horizon line, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the dark blues and greens of the background and foliage, and the lighter blues of the house.
step 03
Add the darker tones to define the shadows on the house, tree, and ground.
step 04
Introduce the highlights on the tree and house, using yellows and lighter blues.
step 05
Paint the bright yellow windows, making sure they stand out against the darker tones.
step 06
Add texture and detail with visible brushstrokes, following the direction of the forms.
step 07
Refine the edges and shapes, paying attention to the overall balance of the composition.
step 08
Add final touches of color and highlights to enhance the sense of light and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · Yellow ochre · Ultramarine blue

secondary · Burnt umber · Cadmium yellow · Titanium white

Mix blues with yellow ochre to create various shades of green. Use white to lighten the blues for the house and sky. Mix burnt umber with blue to create the darkest shadows.

techniques