plate no. 6334

The unmade road

John Brack, 1954

oilExpressionismcityscapebuildingsroadhousesskylandscapetown

suitable for beginners

Recreating this painting will help students understand simplified forms and color relationships to create a sense of depth and perspective. It's a good exercise in using a limited palette to create a cohesive and harmonious image.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, road, and other elements, focusing on their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light, neutral color.
step 03
Apply the base color for the ground, varying the tone slightly to suggest depth.
step 04
Paint the buildings with their respective colors, paying attention to the subtle variations in hue and value.
step 05
Add the road, using a lighter color than the ground and varying the width to create perspective.
step 06
Paint the details such as windows, doors, and the small tree.
step 07
Add the telephone poles and other vertical elements.
step 08
Refine the edges and add any final touches.

color palette

primary · ochre · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna

Mix ochre and raw umber with varying amounts of white to achieve the different tones for the buildings and ground. Use burnt sienna to add warmth to the roof colors.

techniques