plate no. 1569

Overturned cart

Henryk Streng, 1937

oilExpressionismgenre paintingfigurescartbuildinglandscapelaborcrowd

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplified figure drawing and learn to suggest form with bold brushstrokes and color variations. It also provides an opportunity to explore expressive color choices and composition.

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 and placement of the figures, cart, and building.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the background (sky and ground).
step 03
Begin adding the local colors for the figures and cart, focusing on the dominant hues.
step 04
Use short, directional brushstrokes to define the forms and create texture.
step 05
Introduce variations in color within each form to suggest light and shadow.
step 06
Add details to the faces and clothing, keeping the style expressive and simplified.
step 07
Refine the edges of the shapes and adjust the color balance as needed.
step 08
Add final touches to the background and foreground to unify the composition.

color palette

primary · red · green · yellow · white

secondary · blue · brown · black

Mix various shades of red by adding white, yellow, or brown. Create greens by mixing blues and yellows, and vary the intensity with white or brown. Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors.

techniques