plate no. 0458
Kandinsky and Erma Bossi at the Table in the Murnau House
Gabriele Munter, 1912
some experience helpful
This painting is great for practicing simplified forms and color blocking. Students can learn to capture a scene's essence with minimal detail and expressive brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on proportions and placement.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background and then the figures.
- step 03
Refine the shapes and add details to the figures and objects on the table.
- step 04
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 05
Define the edges of objects with darker or lighter tones.
- step 06
Use visible brushstrokes to add texture and energy to the painting.
- step 07
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to colors, values, and details.
color palette
primary · yellow · blue · red · black
secondary · green · white · pink
Mix various shades of yellow by adding small amounts of white, red, or brown. Create muted greens by mixing blue and yellow with a touch of brown or black.
techniques
- ·color blocking
- ·expressive brushstrokes
- ·simplified forms
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality.
- →Using colors that are too saturated or unrealistic.
- →Ignoring the underlying structure and proportions of the scene.
- →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·mineral spirits or turpentine (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·easel
- ·medium gloss
- ·painting rags
Use a limited palette of colors to simplify the mixing process. Experiment with different brushstrokes to create texture and interest.
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