plate no. 1774

The Elbe Near Dresden

Oskar Kokoschka, 1921

oil, canvasExpressionismcityscapecityscaperiverbuildingsskycloudswater

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to convey mood and atmosphere. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and colors.

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, riverbank, and water.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, water, and land using broad brushstrokes.
step 03
Begin adding details to the buildings, focusing on their shapes and colors.
step 04
Develop the sky with layers of blue, green, and white, using short, choppy strokes.
step 05
Refine the water with reflections of the buildings and sky, using horizontal strokes.
step 06
Add details to the riverbank with variations of green and orange.
step 07
Use thicker paint and bolder brushstrokes to create texture and visual interest.
step 08
Step back and adjust the overall composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · viridian green · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium red · ivory black

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow. Achieve variations in the sky by adding white to blue and green. Use burnt sienna and cadmium red for the riverbank and reflections.

techniques