plate no. 5161

Das Haus der Malerin

Helen Dahm, 1955

oilExpressionismcityscapehouseflowersbuildingskyfoliagewindow

some experience helpful

This painting offers practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes and using a limited palette to create a cohesive color scheme. Students can learn to create depth through layering and subtle value changes.

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 house, flowers, and foliage, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, house, and foliage using thinned paint.
step 03
Add darker values to define the shadows and architectural details of the house.
step 04
Begin layering the colors of the flowers, starting with the base color and adding highlights and shadows.
step 05
Refine the details of the windows and other architectural elements.
step 06
Add details to the foliage, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors as needed to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · sap green

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix raw umber and white for the house walls, adding small amounts of yellow ochre for warmth. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky, and mix sap green with raw umber and yellow ochre for the foliage.

techniques