plate no. 1861

Street Musician

Gerard Sekoto, 1944

oilExpressionismgenre paintingfiguresstreet scenebuildingchildrenmusicianshadows

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in a street scene and capturing the effects of light and shadow with visible brushstrokes. It's a good exercise in simplifying complex forms and focusing on overall color relationships.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main figures and building outlines, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the sky/street, building facade, and general skin tones.
step 03
Establish the light and shadow patterns on the figures and building.
step 04
Begin refining the shapes of the figures and adding details like clothing and facial features.
step 05
Add the details of the building, such as the windows and columns.
step 06
Pay attention to the cast shadows on the ground, using cooler tones.
step 07
Refine the brushwork, adding texture and variation to the colors.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red · titanium white · raw umber

Mix various shades of blue and yellow ochre to create the street/sky. Use burnt sienna and yellow ochre for the building facade. Mix white with small amounts of other colors to create skin tones.

techniques