plate no. 3648

Kochel Graveyard

Wassily Kandinsky, 1910

oilExpressionismcityscapebuildingssnowgraveyardwintercityscape

some experience helpful

This painting provides a great opportunity to practice expressive brushstrokes and color mixing to represent light and shadow on a snowy landscape. Students will learn to simplify forms and focus on capturing the overall mood of the scene.

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 buildings and the overall composition.
step 02
Block in the main color areas with broad strokes, focusing on the large shapes of color.
step 03
Start with the darkest values, then move to the mid-tones, and finally the highlights.
step 04
Mix colors directly on the canvas to achieve a vibrant and textured effect.
step 05
Use thick, visible brushstrokes to create a sense of movement and energy.
step 06
Add details such as the snow on the rooftops and the figures in the graveyard.
step 07
Refine the colors and values, paying attention to the relationships between them.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting.

color palette

primary · cadmium red · cadmium yellow · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · viridian green · burnt umber

Mix greens by combining yellow and blue. Achieve muted tones by adding small amounts of complementary colors. Use white to lighten values and create variations in the snow.

techniques