plate no. 3594

Houses by the River (The Old City)

Egon Schiele, 1914

oil, canvasArt Nouveau (Modern)cityscapebuildingscityscaperiverhousesskylandscape

some experience helpful

This painting provides an opportunity to practice simplifying complex forms into geometric shapes and using a limited color palette to create a cohesive scene. Students can also learn to create texture with visible brushstrokes.

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 buildings and the river, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, river, and buildings using thin washes.
step 03
Add darker values to define the shadows and create depth in the buildings and river.
step 04
Mix the various shades of browns, grays, and yellows for the buildings, paying attention to subtle color variations.
step 05
Use thicker paint and visible brushstrokes to add texture to the buildings and riverbank.
step 06
Add details such as windows, roofs, and reflections in the water.
step 07
Refine the edges of the shapes and adjust the values as needed.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · payne's gray · cadmium yellow

Mix raw umber and yellow ochre for the dominant browns. Use white to lighten values and payne's gray to darken them. Add small amounts of burnt sienna for warmth and cadmium yellow for highlights.

techniques