plate no. 7022

Market Church in Halle

Lyonel Feininger, 1930

oilCubismcityscapechurcharchitecturecityscapeskyfigures

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to break down complex forms into geometric shapes and use a limited palette to create a sense of depth and light.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic geometric shapes of the church and surrounding buildings, focusing on the angular structure.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue wash, leaving some areas lighter to suggest clouds.
step 03
Begin layering in the darker tones of the church using browns and blacks, defining the shadows and architectural details.
step 04
Apply lighter yellows and tans to the sunlit areas of the church, blending the edges to create a soft transition.
step 05
Add the figures in the foreground using simple, elongated shapes.
step 06
Refine the details of the architectural elements, paying attention to the angles and lines.
step 07
Add final touches of light and shadow to enhance the depth and dimension.
step 08
Consider adding a thin glaze to unify the colors.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Yellow Ochre · Burnt Umber · Titanium White

secondary · Cadmium Yellow · Black

Mix Prussian Blue with white for the sky. Use Yellow Ochre and Burnt Umber to create the various shades of the church. Add small amounts of black to darken the shadows.

techniques