plate no. 1642

Street in Berlin

Bela Czobel, 1920

oilPost-Impressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingswindowbalconyskystreet

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and capturing the essence of a scene with simplified forms and visible brushstrokes. Students will also learn to create a sense of perspective and atmosphere.

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, window frame, and balcony to establish the composition.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the sky, buildings, and foreground, using thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin layering colors to build up depth and create variations in tone within each area.
step 04
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and rooflines, using thicker paint and more defined brushstrokes.
step 05
Define the window frame and balcony with darker colors and bolder brushstrokes.
step 06
Create the atmospheric perspective by softening the edges of distant objects and using cooler colors.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of form and dimension.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · Yellow ochre · Burnt umber

secondary · Cadmium red · Titanium white · Payne's gray

Mix blues and browns for the darker areas of the buildings and window frame. Use white to lighten colors for the sky and highlights. Combine red and yellow to create the warm tones of the buildings.

techniques