plate no. 9328

From my window in Böszörmény

Ervin Tamas, 1984

oilExpressionismlandscapewindowbuildingsskytreeslandscapereflection

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering paint, creating depth through color and value, and capturing the essence of a scene with expressive brushstrokes. It also encourages exploration of abstracting a realistic view.

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 window frame, buildings, and sky.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the blue sky, the off-white window frame, and the general tones of the buildings.
step 03
Start adding details to the buildings, focusing on the roof shapes and the play of light and shadow.
step 04
Work on the reflected image in the window, using broken brushstrokes to suggest the forms without precisely defining them.
step 05
Refine the colors and values, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 06
Add details to the window frame, including the thin lines of color that define the edges.
step 07
Adjust the overall composition, ensuring that the focal point is clear and the colors are balanced.
step 08
Add final touches and details to enhance the painting's expressiveness.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · burnt sienna · yellow ochre

secondary · sap green · turquoise · raw umber

Mix various shades of white with small amounts of yellow ochre and raw umber to create the off-white tones of the window frame. Use ultramarine blue directly for the sky, and mix it with white for lighter areas. Create the building colors by mixing burnt sienna with yellow ochre and small amounts of black or raw umber.

techniques

·broken color
·layering
·dry brush
·scumbling
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive brushstrokes.
→Making the reflected image too literal and losing the sense of abstraction.
→Not paying attention to the values and creating a flat, uninteresting composition.
→Failing to create a clear focal point and making the painting feel chaotic.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, titanium white, burnt sienna, yellow ochre, sap green, raw umber)
·palette
·assorted brushes (flat and round)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife