plate no. 9324

Winter Landscape in Moonlight

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, 1919

oil, canvasExpressionismlandscapemountainssnowtreesskyfigureslandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve vibrant hues and learn to use expressive brushstrokes to define form and texture. It also encourages simplification of complex scenes into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountains, trees, and figures, focusing on composition.
step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes of orange, red, and purple, creating a gradient effect.
step 03
Establish the mountain forms with shades of blue, using darker values for shadows and lighter values for highlights.
step 04
Paint the snow-covered areas with a mix of blue, white, and purple, defining the contours with directional brushstrokes.
step 05
Add the pink trees using bold, expressive strokes, varying the thickness of the paint for texture.
step 06
Define the figures with simple, dark shapes, placing them strategically within the landscape.
step 07
Refine the details of the mountains and trees, adding subtle variations in color and texture.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Cadmium Red · Cadmium Yellow · Titanium White

secondary · Ultramarine Blue · Alizarin Crimson · Burnt Sienna

Mix blues and whites for the mountains, reds and yellows for the sky, and red with a touch of black for the pink trees. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques