plate no. 8981

Long Yellow Horse

Franz Marc, 1913

oil, canvasCubismanimal paintinghorselandscapebuildingtreesrainbowsky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex forms into geometric shapes and using color expressively rather than realistically. It also provides practice in layering colors and creating texture with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the horse, building, and landscape elements, focusing on simplified forms.
step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes of paint, establishing the overall composition.
step 03
Layer in the primary colors of yellow, red, and blue, allowing some underpainting to show through.
step 04
Add details to the horse, such as the mane, tail, and ribcage, using thicker paint and visible brushstrokes.
step 05
Define the shapes of the trees, building, and landscape with contrasting colors and values.
step 06
Create the rainbow using blended layers of color, keeping the forms simple and geometric.
step 07
Refine the edges and details of the painting, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · yellow · red · blue · green

secondary · purple · orange · brown

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows. Achieve variations in the horse's yellow coat by adding small amounts of red or brown. Create muted tones by mixing complementary colors.

techniques