plate no. 1942

Lady in Moscow

Wassily Kandinsky, 1912

oil, canvasExpressionismallegorical paintingfigurecityscapebuildingsskytablecat

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive color mixing and applying bold, visible brushstrokes to create abstract forms and convey emotion. It also encourages simplification of complex scenes into basic shapes and colors.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the figure, buildings, and the large dark form.
step 02
Block in the background colors with broad strokes, focusing on the overall color scheme.
step 03
Start defining the buildings with simplified shapes and colors, using a variety of hues.
step 04
Paint the figure, paying attention to the color variations in the dress and skin tones.
step 05
Add the details of the table and cat, keeping the forms simple and expressive.
step 06
Create the swirling light effects with blended colors, using a circular motion.
step 07
Define the large dark form with a solid block of black, adding a red accent.
step 08
Refine the details and add final touches to enhance the overall expressive quality.

color palette

primary · yellow · blue · red · black

secondary · green · orange · purple

Mix vibrant hues by combining primary colors. Use white to lighten colors and create variations in tone. Achieve the swirling light effect by blending reds, pinks, and yellows.

techniques