plate no. 5067

The house next door

Albert Bloch, 1934

oilExpressionismlandscapehousetreesskycloudsmoonlandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as using brushstrokes to suggest texture and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the house, trees, and sky, paying attention to proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color using thin washes, starting with the sky and working down to the foreground.
step 03
Begin layering darker tones to define the shapes of the trees, house, and clouds.
step 04
Add lighter tones to create highlights and suggest the direction of light.
step 05
Use small, broken brushstrokes to create texture in the trees and foliage.
step 06
Refine the details of the house, such as windows and roof tiles.
step 07
Add the moon and any final details to complete the painting.
step 08
Step back and adjust values and colors as needed to create a cohesive and atmospheric effect.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · titanium white · ultramarine blue

Mix burnt umber with raw sienna and a touch of yellow ochre for the warm tones of the house and sky. Use ivory black and ultramarine blue for the dark clouds and shadows. Add titanium white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·layering
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·color mixing
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the loose, expressive brushstrokes.
→Creating colors that are too saturated or bright.
→Failing to establish a clear focal point.
→Ignoring the importance of value contrast in creating depth and atmosphere.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, ivory black, yellow ochre, titanium white, ultramarine blue)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife
·rags