plate no. 8451

Houses at Night

Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, 1912

oilExpressionismcityscapebuildingscityscapenighthousesarchitecturesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying complex forms into basic shapes and using bold, expressive brushstrokes to convey mood and atmosphere. It also encourages experimentation with color to create a non-realistic representation of a scene.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and the horizon line using light pencil strokes.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the darkest areas (the blue sky and shadows).
step 03
Add the mid-tones and highlights, focusing on the shapes of the buildings.
step 04
Use thicker paint and visible brushstrokes to create texture and add visual interest.
step 05
Define the details of the windows and architectural elements with smaller brushes.
step 06
Blend some edges for a softer look, but leave many brushstrokes visible.
step 07
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed.
step 08
Allow the painting to dry completely.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · cadmium red

secondary · sap green · burnt umber

Mix greens by blending blue and yellow. Vary shades of each color by adding white, black, or other colors to create depth and interest.

techniques

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

common pitfalls

→Over-blending the colors, which can result in a muddy appearance.
→Making the shapes too detailed, which can detract from the expressive nature of the painting.
→Using too much white, which can make the colors appear washed out.
→Not varying the brushstrokes enough, which can make the painting look flat.