plate no. 5236

Pilgrim Church by the Sea

Maria Bozoky, 1992

inkExpressionismportraitportraitchurchbuildingfigurelandscapetrees

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive linework and layering transparent washes to create depth and form. It also encourages a loose, gestural approach to capturing a subject.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: figure, church, and basic landscape elements.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre to the church and surrounding areas.
step 03
Add washes of burnt sienna and raw umber to define the shadows and architectural details of the church.
step 04
Using a fine brush or pen, create expressive linework to define the edges of the church, figure, and trees.
step 05
Apply washes of diluted black or Payne's gray to the figure's clothing, building up the darker values.
step 06
Add touches of red and pink to the figure's scarf and the foliage to create visual interest.
step 07
Use a dry brush technique to add texture to the landscape and the church walls.
step 08
Refine the details and add final touches of color and linework to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · raw umber · black

secondary · red · pink · blue

Achieve the muted tones by diluting the primary colors with water. Mix burnt sienna and raw umber for the building shadows. Use highly diluted black for the figure's clothing.

techniques