plate no. 2038

Dresden Neustadt

Oskar Kokoschka, 1919

oilExpressionismcityscapecityscapebridgewaterbuildingsskyclouds

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create atmospheric effects. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and colors.

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: sky, water, bridge, and buildings.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, using varying shades of blue.
step 03
Add the darker values to the clouds and shadows in the sky.
step 04
Paint the water with broad strokes of blue and green, creating reflections.
step 05
Establish the base colors for the bridge and buildings, focusing on warm tones.
step 06
Add details to the buildings, varying the colors and values to create depth.
step 07
Use short, expressive brushstrokes to add texture and detail to the entire painting.
step 08
Refine the highlights and shadows to enhance the overall sense of light and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · yellow ochre

secondary · viridian green · titanium white · cadmium red

Mix blues with white for lighter sky tones. Combine burnt sienna and yellow ochre for the bridge and buildings. Use viridian green and yellow ochre for the water and foliage.

techniques