plate no. 0132

Destroyed house in Kehl

oilSymbolismlandscapehouselandscapetreesskyruinsarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose brushwork and creating atmospheric perspective with muted colors. It's also a good exercise in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

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, landscape, and sky, focusing on proportions.
step 02
Block in the dark areas of the sky and foreground with thin washes of dark brown and green.
step 03
Establish the basic color of the house with a mix of white, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt sienna.
step 04
Add darker tones to the house to create shadows and define the architectural forms.
step 05
Paint the trees and foliage with loose, expressive brushstrokes, using a mix of greens, browns, and reds.
step 06
Refine the details of the house, paying attention to the windows and architectural details.
step 07
Add highlights to the house and foliage to create a sense of light and depth.
step 08
Adjust the overall color balance and value contrast to achieve the desired mood.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · yellow ochre

secondary · sap green · cadmium red

Mix white with yellow ochre and a touch of burnt sienna for the house. Use burnt umber and sap green for the dark areas. Add cadmium red to burnt umber for the reddish tones in the foreground.

techniques