plate no. 8544

Der Belle Alliance Platz in Berlin

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, 1914

oil, canvasExpressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingstreesfiguresmonumentpark

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using expressive brushstrokes to convey mood and atmosphere. It also provides practice in color mixing to achieve specific tonal values.

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, monument, and park layout.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: yellow for the pathways, green for the park, and blue for the sky.
step 03
Add darker tones to define the shadows and architectural details of the buildings and monument.
step 04
Use short, expressive brushstrokes to create the foliage of the trees.
step 05
Paint the figures as simple, elongated shapes using dark colors.
step 06
Refine the details of the architectural elements, such as windows and arches.
step 07
Add highlights to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · Prussian blue · sap green · titanium white

secondary · black · grey

Mix yellow ochre with white to create the light pathways. Combine Prussian blue with white for the sky and with black for darker building tones. Use sap green straight from the tube or mix with black for darker greens.

techniques