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Part of G by Paul Klee

plate no. 7662

Part of G

Paul Klee, 1927

oil, watercolor, paperSurrealismcityscapecityscapebuildingsgeometric shapesskyclock towerflags
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing, geometric abstraction, and creating a sense of depth through color and line. It also encourages experimentation with unconventional perspectives and playful compositions.

technical profile

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

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Lightly sketch the basic geometric shapes and building outlines, focusing on their relative positions and sizes.

  2. step 02

    Block in the background sky with a dark blue, allowing for some variation in tone.

  3. step 03

    Apply a base layer of brown for the ground, varying the shade to create depth.

  4. step 04

    Begin filling in the buildings with their respective colors, using a limited palette and mixing colors as needed.

  5. step 05

    Add details such as windows, doors, and flags, using smaller brushes.

  6. step 06

    Outline some of the shapes with thin black lines to define edges and add contrast.

  7. step 07

    Add the moon and any other small details like the clock face.

  8. step 08

    Review and adjust colors and lines as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · dark blue · brown · red · yellow

secondary · pink · light blue · green · orange

Achieve the various shades of brown by mixing burnt umber with white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. The pinks and oranges can be created by mixing red and yellow with white. The blues can be lightened with white or a touch of yellow for a greenish hue.

techniques

  • ·color blocking
  • ·geometric abstraction
  • ·dry brushing
  • ·line work
  • ·color mixing

common pitfalls

  • →Overly precise lines, losing the playful feel.
  • →Muddying colors by over-mixing.
  • →Ignoring the subtle variations in tone.
  • →Getting lost in the details before establishing the overall composition.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

  • ·watercolor paper
  • ·watercolor paints
  • ·round brushes (various sizes)
  • ·palette
  • ·water container
  • ·pencil
  • ·eraser

optional

  • ·ruler
  • ·masking tape
  • ·palette knife

Using high-quality watercolor paper will prevent buckling and allow for better color blending. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varying line thicknesses.

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related guides

oil painting for beginners →watercolor techniques →how to learn by studying the masters →
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