plate no. 5889

Inner Courtyard (Gheorghe Tattarescu Museum)

George Stefanescu, 1969

oil, cardboardExpressionismcityscapecourtyardarchitecturebuildingsarchwaycityscapefigures

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and understanding how to simplify complex architectural forms into basic shapes and values. It also encourages experimentation with color temperature to create depth and atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the archway, buildings, and figures, focusing on proportions and perspective.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: the archway, the buildings' walls, the ground, and the sky/ceiling.
step 03
Establish the darkest darks and lightest lights to create a sense of depth and form.
step 04
Begin adding details with expressive brushstrokes, varying the direction and thickness of the paint.
step 05
Mix and apply subtle color variations to create texture and visual interest.
step 06
Refine the details of the figures and architectural elements, paying attention to their placement and proportions.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall sense of light and atmosphere.
step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments to the composition, color, or value.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · viridian green

Mix white with yellow ochre and burnt umber for the building walls. Use ultramarine blue and white for cooler shadows. Mix small amounts of red and green into the browns for added depth.

techniques

·impasto
·broken color
·alla prima
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Getting bogged down in details and losing the overall sense of form.
→Not varying the brushstrokes enough, resulting in a flat and lifeless painting.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure, leading to a muddy or unclear image.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, ultramarine blue, cadmium red)
·palette knife
·assorted flat brushes (#2, #6, #10)
·palette
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits