plate no. 3781

Landstrasse

Varlin, 1940

oilExpressionismlandscapelandscaperoadfigurestreesbuildingssky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values. It's a good exercise in capturing a mood with a limited palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the road's perspective and the placement of key elements.
step 02
Establish the sky with a thin wash of gray, allowing for subtle variations.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the landscape with diluted washes of brown and green.
step 04
Add the darker values for the trees, buildings, and figures, using a smaller brush.
step 05
Refine the details of the road and foreground, paying attention to the direction of the brushstrokes.
step 06
Introduce subtle color variations to the landscape to create depth and interest.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form of the figures and buildings.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall balance of the painting.

color palette

primary · gray · brown · green · white

secondary · red · blue · black

Mix various shades of gray by combining white with small amounts of black, brown, and blue. Achieve earthy greens by mixing brown and yellow with a touch of blue.

techniques