plate no. 2577

Seven Sisters. A tree group on KNSM island, Amsterdam

Paul Werner, 1991

gouache, watercolor, paperExpressionismlandscapetreesbuildinglandscapeskyfencefoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and layering colors to create depth and texture. It's also good practice for simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and colors.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the building, trees, and fence.
step 02
Block in the sky with a diluted blue wash.
step 03
Apply a base layer of green and yellow for the ground, varying the tones.
step 04
Paint the tree trunks and branches using dark browns and blues, focusing on the gestural quality.
step 05
Add layers of green, blue, and yellow to the foliage using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 06
Define the building with browns, whites, and touches of red, suggesting details without being precise.
step 07
Paint the fence with whites and blues, using quick, expressive strokes.
step 08
Add final details like small flowers and highlights to enhance the overall effect.