plate no. 6692
Schinkelbuurtje Sun
Piet Mondrian, 1899
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing reflections and creating depth through loose, expressive brushstrokes. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and the waterline with light pencil strokes.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas: sky, buildings, water, and ground, using thinned paint.
- step 03
Establish the darkest values in the buildings and reflections.
- step 04
Add lighter values to create form and dimension in the buildings and water.
- step 05
Develop the reflections in the water, paying attention to color and value relationships.
- step 06
Refine the details of the buildings, such as windows and rooflines, with thicker paint.
- step 07
Add highlights to the water and buildings to create a sense of light and atmosphere.
- step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition, ensuring that the values and colors are balanced.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light
Mix raw umber and white for the buildings and sky. Use burnt sienna and a touch of red for the roofs. Add ultramarine blue to raw umber for the darker areas of the water.
techniques
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·alla prima
- ·impasto
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality.
- →Failing to capture the subtle color variations in the water and sky.
- →Making the reflections too literal and not abstract enough.
- →Not establishing a clear value structure, resulting in a flat painting.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 6, 8)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a medium-grit canvas for better texture. Thin the oil paints with linseed oil for smoother blending.
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