plate no. 7310

Street, Dresden

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, 1908

oil, canvasExpressionismgenre paintingfiguresstreet scenecrowdcityclothinghats

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using expressive color to convey mood and atmosphere. Students will also learn to create depth and form with bold brushstrokes and limited blending.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition of the figures and street scene, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of orange and red tones.
step 03
Block in the main color areas for each figure, using simplified shapes and bold colors.
step 04
Add darker values to create shadows and define forms, paying attention to the direction of light.
step 05
Introduce secondary colors to add depth and interest to the figures and background.
step 06
Refine the details of the faces and clothing, using smaller brushstrokes and subtle color variations.
step 07
Add highlights to create a sense of light and atmosphere.
step 08
Review the painting and make any necessary adjustments to the composition, color, and value.

color palette

primary · cadmium red · cadmium yellow · ultramarine blue

secondary · viridian green · burnt umber · titanium white

Mix greens from blue and yellow, and use white to lighten colors and create tints. Use burnt umber to darken colors and create shadows. Mix red and yellow to achieve the orange tones of the street.

techniques

·blocking in
·expressive brushstrokes
·color mixing
·value contrast
·simplification

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Using too many colors and creating a muddy or confusing palette.
→Failing to simplify the shapes and forms, resulting in a cluttered composition.
→Not paying attention to value contrast, which can flatten the image.