plate no. 4845

Italian Landscape II: Europa

Ben Shahn, 1944

oilExpressionismsymbolic paintingbuildingrubblefigureskycloudslandscape

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in creating a sense of depth through overlapping forms and understanding color temperature to create light and shadow. Students will also learn to simplify complex forms into geometric shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the building, figure, and main rock formations.
step 02
Block in the sky with diluted blues and whites, allowing for visible brushstrokes to create cloud texture.
step 03
Establish the basic colors of the building using a mix of reds, browns, and whites, paying attention to the light source.
step 04
Begin painting the rubble, using a limited palette of grays, whites, and browns. Focus on defining the planes of each rock with subtle value changes.
step 05
Add the figure, using dark colors for the clothing and lighter tones for the face and hands.
step 06
Refine the details of the building, including the windows, architectural details, and the 'Europa' sign.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to the rocks and building to enhance the sense of depth and form.
step 08
Review the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments to balance the colors and values.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · burnt sienna

secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black

Mix various shades of gray by combining white with small amounts of black and umber. Use burnt sienna and white for the warmer tones of the rocks and building, and ultramarine blue with white to create the sky.

techniques