plate no. 9151

Dresden Friedrichstadt

oilExpressionismcityscapebuildingsstreetfigurestreescityscapesky

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 texture. It's also a good exercise in color mixing to achieve the specific hues of the buildings and street.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, street, and figures, focusing on proportions and composition.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and street, then the buildings and trees.
step 03
Define the shapes of the buildings with darker outlines and details, using visible brushstrokes.
step 04
Add the figures, focusing on their silhouettes and using contrasting colors to make them stand out.
step 05
Refine the details of the trees and foliage, using short, choppy brushstrokes.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Review the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments.
step 08
Add final details and touch-ups.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · Prussian blue · black · white

secondary · red · green · brown

Mix yellow ochre with white to achieve the various shades of the buildings. Use Prussian blue and white for the sky and street, adding small amounts of green or brown to adjust the hue. Mix black and white for the darker areas and shadows.

techniques

·blocking in
·expressive brushstrokes
·color mixing
·simplification
·impasto

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them to achieve the desired hues.
→Failing to simplify the complex shapes of the buildings and trees.
→Not paying attention to the overall composition and balance of the painting.