plate no. 9462

Electric Station at Jajce at Night

Tivadar Kosztka Csontvary, 1903

oilExpressionismcityscapebuildingsrivernightlandscapehillsfigures

some experience helpful

This painting helps develop skills in depicting nighttime scenes and understanding how light interacts with different surfaces. Students will also learn to create depth using atmospheric perspective and value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, hills, and river, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the dark blues and browns of the night sky and landscape.
step 03
Add the lighter tones to the buildings and the reflections in the river.
step 04
Mix and apply the colors for the fire and the light emanating from the buildings.
step 05
Refine the details of the buildings, including the windows and architectural elements.
step 06
Add the figures in the building entrance, keeping them simple and silhouetted.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · raw sienna

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · titanium white

Mix ultramarine blue with burnt umber and white to create the various shades of the night sky. Use yellow ochre and cadmium red to create the warm glow of the fire and building lights.

techniques

·layering
·blending
·atmospheric perspective
·scumbling
·glazing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the dark areas.
→Making the colors too bright or saturated.
→Ignoring the subtle value changes that create depth.
→Not establishing a clear focal point.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·ultramarine blue oil paint
·burnt umber oil paint
·raw sienna oil paint
·cadmium red oil paint
·yellow ochre oil paint
·titanium white oil paint
·assorted brushes (round and flat)

optional

·palette knife
·linseed oil
·turpentine

Use a limited palette to simplify color mixing and create a harmonious painting. Consider using a medium to thin the paint and create smoother blends.

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