plate no. 2714

Krajina s křížkem a holuby

Josef Capek, 1937

oilExpressionismgenre paintingfigureslandscapetreesskybirdscross

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create a stylized landscape. It also encourages simplification of forms and conveying mood through color.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures, trees, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, ground, and figures using diluted paint.
step 03
Begin applying the swirling brushstrokes to define the landscape, alternating between green, orange, and brown.
step 04
Add details to the figures, such as clothing and accessories, using darker tones for shadows.
step 05
Paint the trees and the cross on the hill, simplifying their shapes and using expressive brushstrokes.
step 06
Add the birds in the sky using small, quick strokes of white and orange.
step 07
Refine the colors and values, adjusting the contrast and adding highlights where needed.
step 08
Add final details and touch-ups to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · sap green

secondary · cadmium orange · titanium white · raw umber

Mix greens by blending blue and yellow, and browns by combining red, yellow, and blue. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·expressive brushstrokes
·color blending
·simplification of form
·scumbling
·impasto

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
→Failing to simplify the forms and details.
→Not paying attention to the overall composition and balance.