plate no. 2962

The Street of Brothels

Otto Dix, 1914

oilExpressionismcityscapestreetfiguresbuildingsnightcityscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and using a limited color palette to create a strong mood. It also encourages experimentation with abstracting forms and 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
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition of the street scene, focusing on the placement of the figures and buildings.
step 02
Block in the large areas of dark background using black or a very dark brown.
step 03
Begin adding the red and pink accents, focusing on the shapes of the figures and architectural details.
step 04
Introduce touches of yellow and white to create highlights and points of interest.
step 05
Use thick, expressive brushstrokes to build up texture and add energy to the painting.
step 06
Pay attention to the negative space around the figures and buildings to create a sense of depth.
step 07
Refine the details and add any final touches to enhance the overall mood and atmosphere.
step 08
Allow the painting to dry completely.

color palette

primary · black · red · white

secondary · pink · yellow · brown

Mix different shades of red by adding white or black. Create pink by mixing red and white. Use yellow sparingly to create highlights and points of interest.

techniques