plate no. 9336

Spanish Village

Mommie Schwarz, 1914

oilCubismcityscapevillagebuildingshillsarchitectureskylandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and practice expressive brushwork to create texture and form. It also encourages exploration of color mixing to achieve a harmonious, muted palette.

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, hills, and sky, focusing on the overall composition.
step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, establishing the light and shadow patterns.
step 03
Begin adding thicker paint layers, using visible brushstrokes to define the forms and textures.
step 04
Mix and apply various shades of browns, greens, and blues to create depth and dimension in the hills and sky.
step 05
Refine the details of the buildings, paying attention to the angles and planes.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the scene.
step 07
Blend some areas to soften edges and create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Step back and make final adjustments to the colors, values, and composition.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

secondary · sap green · titanium white · raw sienna

Mix burnt umber and ultramarine blue for dark shadows. Use yellow ochre and white for highlights on the buildings. Combine sap green and burnt umber for muted greens in the hills.

techniques