plate no. 6016

Homebound

Vilmos Aba-Novak, 1937

tempera, woodExpressionismgenre paintinglandscapetreesfigurescartvillagebuildings

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and simplifying complex scenes into essential shapes and colors. Students will also learn to create depth and atmosphere through color temperature and value variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and composition: horizon line, buildings, figures, and trees.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color using thinned paint, focusing on value and temperature.
step 03
Establish the darkest darks and lightest lights to create a value structure.
step 04
Apply thicker paint with visible brushstrokes to define forms and add texture.
step 05
Use short, directional strokes to suggest foliage and details.
step 06
Mix and apply secondary colors to create depth and interest in the shadows.
step 07
Refine the details of the figures and cart, focusing on capturing their essence rather than precise realism.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of light and form.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · sap green · payne's gray

Achieve the muted greens by mixing yellow ochre with ultramarine blue and a touch of burnt umber. Create the dark tones by mixing burnt umber with ultramarine blue and a touch of black. Use white to lighten values and create highlights.

techniques

·expressive brushwork
·color blocking
·scumbling
·broken color
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→overworking the details
→muddying the colors
→losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes
→failing to establish a strong value structure

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 16x20
·acrylic or oil paints
·#4 round brush
·#8 flat brush
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil or acrylic medium

optional

·easel
·painting rags
·medium gloss
·retarder

Use a medium-grit canvas to allow for better paint adhesion and texture. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color and simplify the initial color blocking.

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