apprentice
artistsserieslearnchatartworkscommunity gallery
apprentice

deliberate practice for serious artists

aboutgalleryprivacyterms
built by reducibl.com
home·artworks·Old Block of Houses
Old Block of Houses by Carlos Botelho

plate no. 3629

Old Block of Houses

Carlos Botelho, 1958

oilExpressionismcityscapebuildingscityscapehousesarchitecturesky
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplification of form and explore color relationships to create depth and interest. Students will also learn to create texture with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition of the buildings, focusing on proportions and placement.

  2. step 02

    Block in the large areas of color with thin washes, starting with the background sky and then the dominant red tones.

  3. step 03

    Add the secondary colors (blues, greens, browns) to define the individual buildings and architectural elements.

  4. step 04

    Build up layers of paint to create texture and variation in the color fields.

  5. step 05

    Use thicker paint and bolder brushstrokes to add details like windows and architectural accents.

  6. step 06

    Refine the edges of the shapes and adjust the color balance to achieve the desired effect.

  7. step 07

    Add final details and highlights to enhance the sense of depth and form.

  8. step 08

    Let dry and add a varnish coat.

color palette

primary · red · blue · green · brown

secondary · white · black · yellow

Mix various shades of red by adding small amounts of brown, black, or white. Create greens by mixing blue and yellow, and adjust the hue with small amounts of red or brown. Achieve darker tones by mixing complementary colors.

techniques

  • ·blocking in
  • ·layering
  • ·dry brushing
  • ·color mixing
  • ·simplification

common pitfalls

  • →Overworking the details and losing the simplified, expressive quality.
  • →Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
  • →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
  • →Not varying the brushstrokes enough to create texture.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·Stretched canvas (12x16 or similar)
  • ·Acrylic or oil paints (red, blue, green, brown, white, black, yellow)
  • ·Assorted brushes (flat and round)
  • ·Palette
  • ·Palette knife
  • ·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
  • ·Linseed oil or acrylic medium

optional

  • ·easel
  • ·rags
  • ·painting medium

Use good quality paints for better color saturation and longevity. A medium can help with blending and drying time.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

related guides

oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →
chat about this artwork

in this vein

related artworks

Dolly Sisters

Dolly Sisters

Kees van Dongen

Nude with Loaves

Nude with Loaves

Jean Helion

My Father

My Father

Carlos Botelho

Helen

Helen

Chronis Botsoglou

The portrait painter in the country

The portrait painter in the country

Albin Egger-Lienz

Marketta on Lázeňská street, Prague

Marketta on Lázeňská street, Prague

Maria Bozoky

Winter at the Entrepotdok, in Amsterdam city

Winter at the Entrepotdok, in Amsterdam city

Paul Werner

Old Woman with Masks (Theatre of Masks)

Old Woman with Masks (Theatre of Masks)

James Ensor