plate no. 6014

Das Rote Haus

Erich Heckel, 1922

oilExpressionismlandscapebuildinglandscapetreesskygrassgate

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose watercolor washes and capturing the essence of a scene with simplified shapes and colors. It also encourages expressive brushwork and a focus on overall composition rather than precise detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the house, trees, and landscape, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted brown for the roof and red for the house, allowing the colors to blend and bleed slightly.
step 03
Paint the green areas of the landscape with loose, expressive brushstrokes, varying the intensity of the green.
step 04
Add the darker brown tones to the trees and the gate, creating depth and contrast.
step 05
Paint the sky with a light blue wash, adding some gray clouds for interest.
step 06
Use a fine brush to add details such as the windows, doors, and the windmill-like structure on the roof.
step 07
Adjust the colors and values as needed to create a harmonious and expressive composition.
step 08
Allow to dry completely.

color palette

primary · red · brown · green · blue

secondary · gray · white

Mix browns from burnt umber and a touch of red. Vary greens by mixing yellow and blue with varying amounts of water. Achieve grays by diluting black or mixing complementary colors.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·watercolor washes
·simplified shapes

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details
→Using too much water and creating muddy colors
→Not allowing the washes to dry completely before adding more layers
→Being too precise and losing the expressive quality of the original

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·Watercolor paints
·Watercolor brushes (round and flat)
·Watercolor paper (140lb)
·Palette
·Water container
·Pencil
·Eraser
·Paper towels

optional

·Masking fluid
·Palette knife
·Ruler

Use good quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for better blending. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve various effects.

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