
plate no. 7662
Paul Klee, 1927
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
approach — 8 steps
Lightly sketch the basic geometric shapes and building outlines, focusing on their relative positions and sizes.
Block in the background sky with a dark blue, allowing for some variation in tone.
Apply a base layer of brown for the ground, varying the shade to create depth.
Begin filling in the buildings with their respective colors, using a limited palette and mixing colors as needed.
Add details such as windows, doors, and flags, using smaller brushes.
Outline some of the shapes with thin black lines to define edges and add contrast.
Add the moon and any other small details like the clock face.
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
common pitfalls
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
optional
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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