plate no. 9202

Murnau with rainbow

Wassily Kandinsky, 1909

oilExpressionismcityscapebuildingslandscaperainbowtreesskyroad

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using color to express emotion rather than realistic representation. It's a good exercise in expressive brushwork and color mixing to achieve a vibrant, non-realistic palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, road, and landscape.
step 02
Establish the main color blocks for the sky, buildings, road, and foliage.
step 03
Begin layering in darker values to define shadows and forms.
step 04
Add brighter highlights to create a sense of light and dimension.
step 05
Introduce secondary colors and details to add visual interest.
step 06
Paint the rainbow using broad strokes of color.
step 07
Refine the edges and details, focusing on expressive brushwork.
step 08
Step back and adjust colors and values as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · sap green

secondary · violet · orange · white

Mix yellows and reds for the buildings and road. Use blues and greens for the sky and foliage. Create violet by mixing red and blue. Add white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques