plate no. 0151

The Foreign-style House

Guan Zilan, 1928

oilPost-Impressionismcityscapehousesfencetreesbuildingslandscapesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying complex forms and using a limited color palette to create a cohesive and expressive image. It's a good exercise in capturing the essence of a scene rather than precise detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the houses, fence, and trees, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the main colors for the sky, houses, and foreground using thin washes.
step 03
Add darker tones to define the shadows and create depth in the foliage and fence.
step 04
Develop the details of the houses, such as windows, doors, and rooflines, using thicker paint and visible brushstrokes.
step 05
Mix subtle variations of the main colors to add interest and dimension to the surfaces.
step 06
Refine the shapes and edges of the forms, paying attention to the overall composition.
step 07
Add final details, such as the branches of the trees and highlights on the houses.
step 08
Allow to dry and add a varnish coat.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · viridian green · cadmium red

Mix yellow ochre and white for the house walls. Use burnt umber and viridian green for the dark foliage. Add small amounts of red to the roof color.

techniques

·blocking in
·dry brush texture
·scumbling
·color mixing
·layering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the simplicity of the original.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them.
→Creating too much contrast and losing the overall harmony.
→Not paying attention to the proportions of the houses and fence.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 12x16
·oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt umber, titanium white, viridian green, cadmium red)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (flat and round)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags