plate no. 6916

Mill in Sunlight: The Winkel Mill

Piet Mondrian, 1908

oil, canvasFauvismcityscapewindmillbuildingskyfieldarchitecturelandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice bold brushstrokes and color mixing to achieve vibrant, expressive colors. It also encourages simplification of forms and capturing the essence of a scene rather than precise detail.

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 windmill and surrounding landscape, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: yellow for the sky and field, red for the windmill, and blue for accents.
step 03
Apply thick, visible brushstrokes, following the direction of the forms to create texture and movement.
step 04
Mix variations of red, yellow, and blue to add depth and interest to each area.
step 05
Use short, choppy strokes for the field and sky to create a sense of energy.
step 06
Add darker values to define the shadows and contours of the windmill.
step 07
Refine the details of the windmill, such as the windows and sails, using smaller brushstrokes.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · cadmium red · cadmium yellow · ultramarine blue

secondary · white · black

Mix red and yellow for oranges, yellow and blue for greens, and red and blue for purples. Use white to lighten colors and black to darken them sparingly.

techniques

·impasto
·broken color
·expressive brushwork
·color mixing
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
→Being too precise with details, losing the expressive quality of the painting.
→Using too much paint, creating a heavy, overworked surface.
→Ignoring the direction of the brushstrokes, resulting in a flat, lifeless painting.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (cadmium red, cadmium yellow, ultramarine blue, titanium white, black)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (flat and round)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·rags