plate no. 0010

Nocturnal Landscape in Lower Carinthia

Werner Berg, 1958

oilExpressionismlandscapelandscapemountainsroadfieldsskymoon

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and forms. Students will also learn to create a sense of perspective using color and value changes.

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 mountains, road, and fields, focusing on the overall composition.
step 02
Block in the sky with a base layer of dark blue, blending slightly towards the horizon.
step 03
Paint the mountains with varying shades of blue, creating depth by layering darker tones in the shadows.
step 04
Establish the road with a light blue-gray, adding subtle pink and purple hues to suggest reflections.
step 05
Fill in the fields with blocks of green, brown, and yellow, varying the tones to create a patchwork effect.
step 06
Add details such as the fence and telephone poles, keeping them simple and stylized.
step 07
Paint the moon with a soft yellow, blending it slightly into the surrounding sky.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed to achieve the desired mood and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of blue by combining ultramarine blue and titanium white. Create greens by mixing yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Add small amounts of alizarin crimson to create muted tones.

techniques

·color blocking
·layering
·blending
·atmospheric perspective
·simplified forms

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the simplified, expressive style.
→Creating too much contrast, which can flatten the image.
→Not establishing a clear sense of perspective.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing, which can result in a less harmonious palette.