plate no. 6915

Unter den Linden

Max Slevogt, 1913

oilImpressionismcityscapecityscapetreesbuildingsflagscrowdstreet

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering paint to create depth and using broken color to represent complex textures like foliage and crowds. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into impressionistic brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of buildings, trees, and the large vertical elements.
step 02
Establish the sky with a thin layer of light blue, allowing some canvas to show through.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the buildings and trees using broad strokes of color.
step 04
Begin layering colors within the trees, using greens, yellows, and browns to create depth and texture.
step 05
Add details to the buildings, including the flags and architectural elements.
step 06
Paint the crowd using small, individual brushstrokes of various colors to suggest movement and activity.
step 07
Refine the foreground elements, such as the signage and decorations.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall sense of light and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · light blue · green · white · red

secondary · yellow · brown · gray · black

Mix greens by blending blues and yellows. Achieve the sky color by diluting blue with white. Use browns and grays to create shadows and depth in the buildings and trees.

techniques