plate no. 0368

The Walchensee, Serpentine

Lovis Corinth, 1920

oilExpressionismlandscapemountainslakebuildingstreesroadsky

some experience helpful

This painting provides an opportunity to practice expressive brushwork and capturing the essence of a landscape rather than precise detail. Students can develop skills in color mixing to create atmospheric perspective and depth.

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 mountains, lake, buildings, and road with light pencil lines.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and lake, using thin washes.
step 03
Establish the dark values of the mountains and trees, paying attention to the overall composition.
step 04
Add the mid-tones and highlights to the buildings and road, defining their forms.
step 05
Use expressive brushstrokes to create texture and detail in the trees and foliage.
step 06
Mix and apply colors for the rooftops, varying the hues to create visual interest.
step 07
Add small details like figures on the road to enhance the sense of scale and depth.
step 08
Refine the edges and values, adjusting the overall balance of the painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · sap green · ivory black

Mix blues and whites for the sky and lake, adding touches of umber for depth. Use umber, red, and yellow to create earth tones for the buildings and trees. Mix greens from blue, yellow and umber.

techniques