plate no. 1978

WOMAN CROSSING THE ROAD

Gerard Sekoto, 1944

oilExpressionismgenre paintingbuildingsfigurestreetcarsurban scenecityscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve muted tones and practice applying visible brushstrokes to create texture and form.

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 buildings, figure, and cars, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Block in the main colors of the buildings (yellow, orange, white) and the sky (blue).
step 03
Establish the dark values for the figure, cars, and shadows on the street.
step 04
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and architectural features.
step 05
Refine the figure's form and clothing, adding highlights and shadows.
step 06
Develop the cars with basic shapes and colors, suggesting reflections and details.
step 07
Add texture to the street and buildings using visible brushstrokes.
step 08
Adjust values and colors to create depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium orange · titanium white · sap green

Mix muted tones by combining complementary colors (e.g., blue and orange) with white or umber. Use yellow ochre as a base for many of the building colors.

techniques