plate no. 6735

Storm

Walter Gramatté, 1915

oil, canvasExpressionismlandscapetreeslandscapepathhousesskyfence

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and creating a sense of movement and atmosphere through color and texture. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, including the horizon line, trees, path, and houses.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin layer of yellow and green, using directional brushstrokes to suggest wind.
step 03
Establish the dark masses of the trees with a mix of dark green and brown, using short, curved brushstrokes to create texture.
step 04
Paint the path with varying shades of yellow, green, and brown, following its curves and suggesting depth.
step 05
Add the houses in the background with simple shapes and colors, focusing on their overall form rather than details.
step 06
Define the fence with dark brown and black, using vertical strokes for the posts and horizontal strokes for the rails.
step 07
Refine the details of the trees and foliage, adding highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Add final touches and adjustments to balance the composition and enhance the overall mood.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · dark green · burnt umber

secondary · titanium white · raw sienna · black

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and dark green. Create darker tones by adding burnt umber or black. Use titanium white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·impasto
·directional brushstrokes
·broken color
·scumbling
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Creating a flat, lifeless composition by not varying the values and colors.
→Failing to capture the sense of movement and atmosphere.
→Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (yellow ochre, dark green, burnt umber, titanium white, raw sienna, black)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (flat and round)
·Palette knife
·Linseed oil or painting medium
·Odorless mineral spirits or turpentine
·Rags or paper towels