plate no. 2796

Dolomite Landscape: Tre Croci

Oskar Kokoschka, 1913

oilExpressionismlandscapemountainslandscapehorsestreesskyfigures

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountains, trees, and figures using light pencil lines.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin layer of blue and white, blending the colors softly.
step 03
Establish the main areas of green in the foreground and midground, using different shades and values.
step 04
Add the darker tones for the trees and shadows, using bold brushstrokes.
step 05
Paint the mountains with varying shades of blue, gray, and purple, suggesting depth and distance.
step 06
Define the figures and animals with simplified shapes and colors.
step 07
Add highlights and details to the landscape, focusing on the direction of light.
step 08
Refine the brushwork and color variations to create a sense of movement and texture.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Cadmium Yellow · Titanium White · Emerald Green

secondary · Burnt Umber · Alizarin Crimson · Violet

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and vary the shades by adding white or umber. Create atmospheric blues for the mountains by mixing blue with white and a touch of violet.

techniques

·Impasto
·Broken color
·Expressive brushwork
·Color layering
·Scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Ignoring the direction of light and shadow.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 18x24
·Oil paints (Prussian Blue, Cadmium Yellow, Titanium White, Emerald Green, Burnt Umber, Alizarin Crimson, Violet)
·Assorted brushes (flat and round)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Rags