plate no. 8139

Houses at Murnau

Wassily Kandinsky, 1909

oil, canvasExpressionismcityscapehouseshillskytreeslandscapevillage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using color to create depth and mood. It also encourages experimentation with expressive brushstrokes and non-realistic color choices.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the houses and the hill, focusing on their relative positions.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: yellow for the houses and fields, dark blue for the shadows and sky.
step 03
Add the red roofs and other secondary colors, like the greens and blues in the trees and sky.
step 04
Use darker shades of blue and purple to define the shadows and create depth.
step 05
Add highlights with lighter shades of yellow and white to create contrast and bring out the forms.
step 06
Refine the details of the houses and trees, using short, expressive brushstrokes.
step 07
Pay attention to the edges of the shapes, varying the sharpness to create visual interest.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making adjustments as needed.

color palette

primary · yellow · dark blue · red

secondary · green · purple · white

Mix shades of yellow with small amounts of blue or red to create variations for the houses and fields. Darken the blue with purple or black for the shadows.

techniques

·blocking in
·expressive brushstrokes
·color mixing
·layering
·impasto

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Using colors that are too saturated and creating a jarring effect.
→Not paying attention to the relative values of the colors and creating a flat, uninteresting image.
→Failing to simplify the scene and including too much unnecessary detail.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·acrylic or oil paints
·round brushes
·flat brushes
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil (if using oils)
·rags

optional

·medium gloss
·easel
·painting apron

Use a variety of brush sizes to create different textures and effects. Consider using a palette knife to apply thick layers of paint for added texture.

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