plate no. 3119

Das Verspätete Nachtgespenst Und Die Trunkenbolde

Franz Sedlacek, 1931

oilExpressionismcityscapecityscapefigurestreesskyfogindustry

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and creating a sense of depth through subtle value changes. It also provides practice in rendering detailed silhouettes and creating a moody atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the tree, figures, buildings, and horizon line.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of neutral color, focusing on the light source and areas of shadow.
step 03
Block in the sky with blended layers of blues, grays, and hints of orange near the horizon.
step 04
Paint the distant buildings and industrial structures, paying attention to their simplified shapes and muted colors.
step 05
Add the fog effect by layering thin washes of white and gray, softening the edges of objects in the distance.
step 06
Render the tree and bench in the foreground, focusing on the intricate branch structure and dark values.
step 07
Paint the figures with careful attention to their silhouettes and the subtle highlights on their clothing.
step 08
Add final details, such as the light from the lamppost and any small highlights to enhance the overall mood.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · payne's gray

Achieve the atmospheric colors by mixing blues and grays with small amounts of yellow ochre and burnt umber to create muted tones. Use white to lighten values and create the fog effect.

techniques