plate no. 2680
Dutch Houses
Dorrit Black, 1929
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice simplified forms and color blocking to create a stylized cityscape. It also encourages experimentation with color mixing to achieve the unique hues present in the original work.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the houses, trees, and landscape, focusing on simplified geometric forms.
- step 02
Divide the composition into distinct color areas.
- step 03
Start with the sky, applying a base layer of blue.
- step 04
Paint the houses using a mix of red and brown, varying the shades slightly.
- step 05
Add details to the houses, such as windows and brick patterns, using darker blues and reds.
- step 06
Paint the trees and bushes using shades of green and blue, creating texture with short strokes.
- step 07
Define the pathway and foreground with browns and earth tones.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to enhance the overall composition.
color palette
primary · red · blue · green · brown
secondary · white · yellow
Mix red and brown to achieve the house colors. Combine blue and green for the foliage. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.
techniques
- ·color blocking
- ·simplified forms
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·geometric abstraction
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating the shapes.
- →Using too many colors.
- →Failing to create distinct color areas.
- →Ignoring the simplified geometric style.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·acrylic paints
- ·canvas or painting paper
- ·assorted paint brushes
- ·palette
- ·water
- ·pencil
- ·eraser
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·ruler
- ·masking tape
Use good quality acrylic paints for best results. Consider using a medium to slow drying time if needed.
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