plate no. 0281

Eglise Montrouge, Paris

Max Gubler, 1931

oilExpressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingschurchwindowskyrooftops

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes and capturing the essence of a subject with expressive brushstrokes. It also provides practice in mixing and applying a limited color palette to create a cohesive and atmospheric effect.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the church and the window frame.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue-gray mixture, using loose, visible brushstrokes.
step 03
Establish the main shapes of the buildings with simplified forms and muted colors.
step 04
Paint the church tower, paying attention to its verticality and the subtle variations in tone.
step 05
Add the window frame using bold, dark strokes, creating a strong contrast and defining the foreground.
step 06
Introduce the objects on the left side, simplifying their forms and using a limited color palette.
step 07
Refine the details and add highlights to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Review the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments to balance the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix various shades of gray by combining white, black, and small amounts of blue or umber. Achieve the warm tones by mixing red, yellow ochre, and umber. Use white to lighten and soften the colors.

techniques

·expressive brushstrokes
·simplified forms
·limited palette
·alla prima
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details
→Getting bogged down in realism
→Ignoring the overall composition
→Using too many colors
→Not simplifying the forms

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints (titanium white, ultramarine blue, burnt umber, cadmium red, yellow ochre, ivory black)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (flat and round)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits