plate no. 3275

Hauptstrasse (Mit Mann)

Gabriele Munter, 1934

oilExpressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingsstreetfiguretreessky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and use color to define form. It's also a good exercise in expressive brushwork and creating a sense of depth through color and value.

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 buildings, street, and figure.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and ground.
step 03
Define the shapes of the buildings and trees with darker and lighter values.
step 04
Add details to the figure, such as the clothing and hair.
step 05
Refine the brushstrokes and edges to create a sense of texture and depth.
step 06
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form.
step 07
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting.
step 08
Make any necessary adjustments to the colors, values, or brushstrokes.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium yellow

secondary · alizarin crimson · viridian green · dioxazine purple

Mix blues and whites for the sky. Use raw umber and white for the street. Mix greens and yellows for the trees. Create muted tones by mixing complementary colors.

techniques