plate no. 3435
Street at Szentendre in Stormy Weather
Istvan Ilosvai Varga, 1933
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand simplified forms and color blocking to create depth. It will also help them practice creating a sense of atmosphere with a limited palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, street, and tree, focusing on the overall composition.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, buildings, and ground, using simplified shapes.
- step 03
Add the darker values to define the shadows and create depth.
- step 04
Introduce the secondary colors to add interest and variation to the color scheme.
- step 05
Refine the details of the buildings, tree, and figures, focusing on the essential elements.
- step 06
Add highlights to create a sense of light and form.
- step 07
Adjust the colors and values as needed to achieve the desired effect.
- step 08
Add final details like the well and the cloud.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue
secondary · cadmium red · sap green · violet
Mix the greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Create variations in the browns by adding small amounts of red or blue.
techniques
- ·color blocking
- ·simplified forms
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·limited palette
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating the forms and details.
- →Using too many colors and losing the overall harmony.
- →Not establishing a clear value structure.
- →Ignoring the atmospheric perspective and flattening the image.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·yellow ochre
- ·burnt sienna
- ·ultramarine blue
- ·cadmium red
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
Use a medium-textured canvas to add visual interest. Acrylics are recommended for beginners due to their faster drying time.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
