plate no. 6943
Red House and Spruces
Edvard Munch, 1927
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using a limited color palette to create a cohesive atmosphere. Students will also practice expressive brushwork to convey texture and form.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the trees, house, and landscape using light pencil lines.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of blue for the snow and sky, using varying shades.
- step 03
Paint the trees with darker blues, adding texture with visible brushstrokes.
- step 04
Add the red house, focusing on its simple geometric form.
- step 05
Introduce subtle variations in the snow with lighter blues and whites.
- step 06
Define the shadows under the trees and around the house with darker blues and greens.
- step 07
Add details to the trees and house, such as branches and window panes.
- step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition, ensuring a balanced and harmonious feel.
color palette
primary · Prussian blue · Titanium white · Cadmium red
secondary · Sap green · Ultramarine blue
Mix different shades of blue by combining Prussian blue with varying amounts of white. Use small amounts of green to darken the blues for shadows. Mix red with a touch of white for the house.
techniques
- ·Wet-on-dry brushwork
- ·Color mixing
- ·Simplification of form
- ·Expressive brushstrokes
- ·Layering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality.
- →Using too many colors and creating a disjointed composition.
- →Not varying the shades of blue enough, resulting in a flat painting.
- →Ignoring the importance of negative space around the trees and house.
materials
surface · Stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·Prussian blue oil paint
- ·Titanium white oil paint
- ·Cadmium red oil paint
- ·Round brushes (various sizes)
- ·Flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·Palette
- ·Linseed oil
optional
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Painting medium
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Pre-toned canvas can help establish the mood.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
related artworks
Dolly Sisters
Kees van Dongen
Nude with Loaves
Jean Helion
My Father
Carlos Botelho
Helen
Chronis Botsoglou
The portrait painter in the country
Albin Egger-Lienz
Marketta on Lázeňská street, Prague
Maria Bozoky
Winter at the Entrepotdok, in Amsterdam city
Paul Werner
Old Woman with Masks (Theatre of Masks)
James Ensor