plate no. 0467

Embankment near Gmunden

Richard Gerstl, 1907

oilExpressionismlandscapelandscapetreesskyvegetationembankment

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create a sense of depth and texture. It also encourages simplification of forms and focusing on capturing the overall impression of the scene.

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 and composition of the landscape.
step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes of blue and white.
step 03
Establish the main areas of vegetation with varying shades of green.
step 04
Use thick, visible brushstrokes to define the forms of the trees and embankment.
step 05
Mix and apply lighter yellows and greens to suggest sunlight and highlights.
step 06
Add darker greens and blues to create shadows and depth.
step 07
Refine the details and textures with smaller brushstrokes.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall balance of color and value.

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · Yellow Ochre · Titanium White · Sap Green

secondary · Burnt Umber · Cadmium Yellow Light

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow, and adjust the value with white or umber. Achieve muted tones by mixing complementary colors.

techniques

·Impasto
·Broken Color
·Expressive Brushwork
·Color Layering

common pitfalls

→Overblending colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Losing the sense of depth by not varying the value and color temperature.
→Getting bogged down in details instead of focusing on the overall impression.
→Using too much paint and losing the texture of the canvas.

materials

surface · Stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·Oil paints (Prussian blue, Yellow Ochre, Titanium White, Sap Green, Burnt Umber)
·Palette
·Assorted flat brushes (various sizes)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags