plate no. 1264

Towering

Werner Berg, 1979

oilExpressionismgenre paintingfigurelandscapefieldskyhillheadscarf

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying forms, mixing muted colors, and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective. It's also a good exercise in capturing a mood with limited 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: the figure, the horizon line, and the hill in the background.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, field, and the figure's clothing using thin washes.
step 03
Gradually build up the colors on the figure, adding highlights and shadows to define the form.
step 04
Add details to the field, varying the greens and yellows to create texture and depth.
step 05
Paint the distant hill with a muted blue-gray color, softening the edges to create atmospheric perspective.
step 06
Add the headscarf, paying attention to the folds and shadows.
step 07
Refine the details of the figure's face and hands, keeping the overall style simple and expressive.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · sap green · payne's gray

Achieve muted tones by mixing complementary colors (e.g., orange and blue, green and red). Use white to lighten colors and create subtle variations in value. Mix browns and blues for the shadows.

techniques