plate no. 7308

Terrace of the country house in St. Germain

August Macke, 1914

watercolorExpressionismcityscapeterracebuildingstreesskylandscapearchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting helps develop skills in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using color to define form and space. It encourages experimentation with layering transparent washes to achieve depth and vibrancy.

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 and composition, focusing on the structure of the terrace and the placement of buildings and trees.
step 02
Apply a light wash of yellow to the sky and areas where light is prominent.
step 03
Begin layering in the blues for the terrace structure, varying the intensity to create depth.
step 04
Add the greens and browns for the foliage and landscape, using broken brushstrokes to suggest texture.
step 05
Introduce the reds and oranges for accents and to create visual interest.
step 06
Refine the details of the buildings and trees, paying attention to the negative space between them.
step 07
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the overall composition.
step 08
Allow each layer to dry before applying the next to maintain transparency.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · lemon yellow · burnt sienna

secondary · sap green · cadmium red · violet

Mix greens by blending yellow and blue. Create variations in brown by mixing burnt sienna with blue or violet. Achieve lighter tones by diluting the paint with water.

techniques