plate no. 3141

Summer houses

Paul Klee, 1919

watercolor, paperCubismcityscapehousestreesskyarchitecturegeometric shapescityscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors, creating texture with dry brush techniques, and simplifying complex forms into geometric shapes. It also encourages experimentation with color mixing and abstract representation.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the houses and trees, focusing on their geometric forms.
step 02
Apply a thin wash of diluted brown or ochre to the entire paper as a base layer.
step 03
Begin layering in the sky with diluted blues and whites, allowing the underlayer to show through.
step 04
Add the darker brown/black tones for the structural elements of the houses, using a dry brush technique for texture.
step 05
Introduce green and yellow washes for the foliage and ground, varying the intensity of the colors.
step 06
Use white paint or a white colored pencil to create the geometric patterns and details on the houses and trees.
step 07
Add final details and adjust the colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.
step 08
Outline with a dark brown to create a frame

color palette

primary · ochre · burnt umber · white · blue

secondary · green · yellow · red

Mix various shades of brown by combining burnt umber with ochre and white. Achieve the sky blue by diluting blue with plenty of water and mixing with white. Greens can be created by mixing blue and yellow with a touch of brown to mute the color.

techniques