plate no. 0378

Small street (Nußdorferstraße)

Richard Gerstl, 1908

oilExpressionismcityscapebuildingsstreetcityscapefiguresawningscarriage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing light and shadow with expressive brushstrokes and simplifying complex architectural forms into basic shapes. It also encourages exploration of a limited color palette to create a cohesive and atmospheric scene.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and street, focusing on perspective.
step 02
Establish the darkest and lightest values with thin washes of color.
step 03
Block in the main color areas of the buildings, street, and awnings, using a limited palette.
step 04
Begin adding details to the buildings, such as windows and architectural features, with thicker paint and visible brushstrokes.
step 05
Define the figures and carriage with simple shapes and contrasting values.
step 06
Refine the highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Add final touches and details to enhance the overall atmosphere.
step 08
Step back and make any necessary adjustments to the composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt sienna · titanium white

Mix yellow ochre and raw umber for the warm tones of the buildings and street. Add ultramarine blue to raw umber to create the cooler grays of the shadowed areas. Use white to lighten the colors and create highlights.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·alla prima
·limited palette
·expressive brushwork

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive brushstrokes.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Using too many colors and creating a muddy effect.
→Ignoring the perspective and creating a flat composition.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints (yellow ochre, raw umber, ultramarine blue, burnt sienna, titanium white)
·palette
·assorted brushes (flat and round)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife