plate no. 2564

Red Houses

Chaim Soutine, 1917

oil, canvasExpressionismlandscapebuildingslandscapehouseshillvegetationsky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes and applying loose, gestural strokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and landscape, focusing on proportions and composition.
step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, establishing the overall color scheme.
step 03
Begin layering thicker paint, using bold brushstrokes to define the forms and textures.
step 04
Mix variations of the primary colors to create depth and interest in the foliage and buildings.
step 05
Pay attention to the direction of light and shadow, adding highlights and dark accents to create contrast.
step 06
Refine the details of the buildings and landscape, using smaller brushes to add texture and definition.
step 07
Add final touches and adjust the overall color balance as needed.
step 08
Allow the painting to dry completely.

color palette

primary · red · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · olive green · raw sienna

Mix various shades of red by adding burnt umber or yellow ochre. Create greens by mixing yellow ochre and burnt umber. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·impasto
·broken color
·expressive brushwork
·scumbling
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Ignoring the direction of light and shadow.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (red, yellow ochre, burnt umber, titanium white, olive green, raw sienna)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (flat and round)
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags