plate no. 4696

The Pink House

Dorrit Black, 1928

oilCubismcityscapebuildingstreeslandscapehousesarchitecturefoliage

suitable for beginners

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to simplify complex forms into geometric shapes and use a limited color palette to create a harmonious composition. Students will also practice color mixing to achieve subtle variations in tone and value.

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 buildings and trees, focusing on their geometric forms.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, buildings, and foliage.
step 03
Mix the primary colors to create the various shades of green and brown.
step 04
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and roof tiles, using simplified shapes.
step 05
Refine the shapes of the trees and bushes, paying attention to the variations in color and texture.
step 06
Add shadows and highlights to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Step back and assess the overall composition, making adjustments as needed.
step 08
Add final details and touch-ups to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · sap green · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · raw umber

Mix yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the building walls, adding white for highlights. Use sap green and ultramarine blue for the foliage, adjusting the ratio for different shades. Add raw umber to darken the greens and browns.

techniques