plate no. 4777

Staffelsee

Gabriele Munter, 1934

oilExpressionismlandscapelakemountainshousestreeslandscapehills

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex landscapes into basic shapes and using a limited color palette to create a harmonious composition. It also encourages expressive brushwork and understanding of color temperature.

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 mountains, lake, and foreground hills.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the main areas of land and water.
step 03
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, water, mountains, and land using thin washes.
step 04
Add darker values to define the shapes of the mountains and hills, creating depth.
step 05
Paint the houses and trees using simplified shapes and bold brushstrokes.
step 06
Introduce secondary colors to add interest and variation to the landscape.
step 07
Refine the details of the foreground, adding texture and definition to the hills and fields.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall sense of light and form.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · burnt umber · yellow ochre

secondary · sap green · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Create muted browns by mixing burnt umber with small amounts of blue or green. Achieve the lake color by mixing cerulean blue with white and a touch of green.

techniques