plate no. 8098

Group of Houses

Elmer Bischoff, 1961

oilExpressionismlandscapehousestreeslandscapeskyvegetationbuildings

some experience helpful

This painting helps students practice simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using expressive brushstrokes to convey texture and form. It also encourages exploration of color relationships and atmospheric perspective.

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 of the houses, trees, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of blue and gray.
step 03
Apply a base layer of green for the foreground vegetation.
step 04
Establish the general color and value of the houses using simplified shapes.
step 05
Add darker values to create shadows and define forms.
step 06
Introduce highlights with lighter shades of yellow and white.
step 07
Refine the details of the trees and vegetation with expressive brushstrokes.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed.

color palette

primary · sap green · yellow ochre · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt sienna · raw umber · cadmium yellow light

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow. Achieve muted tones by adding a touch of complementary color. Use white to lighten values and create highlights.

techniques