plate no. 1448

Old shipyard Groenland in winter, Amsterdam city

Paul Werner, 1995

lithography, print, paperExpressionismcityscapebuildingsboatscityscapewaterstructures

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive mark-making and understanding how to create depth and form using only value.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, boats, and structures, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the composition with bold, confident strokes, paying attention to the overall value pattern.
step 03
Use a variety of marks (hatching, cross-hatching, scribbling) to build up the mid-tones and create texture.
step 04
Leave areas of the paper untouched to represent the lightest values and highlights.
step 05
Refine the details of the buildings and boats, adding windows, doors, and other features with careful strokes.
step 06
Add the structural elements on the right side of the painting, using a combination of thick and thin lines to create a sense of depth.
step 07
Adjust the overall value contrast to create a sense of atmosphere and mood.
step 08
Add final details and refine the composition as needed.

color palette

primary · black · white

secondary ·

This artwork uses a monochrome palette, so no color mixing is required. Focus on achieving different values of gray through varying pressure and density of marks.

techniques

·hatching
·cross-hatching
·scribbling
·dry brush
·value shading

common pitfalls

→Overworking the drawing and losing the spontaneity of the original.
→Creating too much detail and cluttering the composition.
→Failing to establish a clear value pattern, resulting in a flat or muddy image.
→Not varying the marks enough, leading to a monotonous texture.

materials

surface · Drawing paper

required

·Graphite pencils (2B, 4B, 6B)
·Eraser
·Sketchbook or drawing paper
·Charcoal pencil
·Blending stump

optional

·Kneaded eraser
·Ruler
·Fixative spray

Experiment with different types of drawing paper to find one that suits your style and preferences. A slightly textured paper will help to create a more interesting surface.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

related guides

how to learn by studying the masters →

chat about this artwork

in this vein