plate no. 6319

Yellow Houses: District Six

Gerard Sekoto, 1942

oilSocial Realismgenre paintingbuildingsfigureshousesshadowsstreetcityscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting light and shadow to create depth and form, as well as practice capturing figures in a realistic yet expressive style. It also provides an opportunity to explore a limited color palette and create harmonious color relationships.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of buildings and figures.
step 02
Establish the main light source and map out the areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the yellow buildings.
step 04
Mix and apply the various shades of yellow, paying attention to subtle color variations.
step 05
Paint the figures, focusing on capturing their poses and proportions.
step 06
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and doorways.
step 07
Refine the shadows, adding depth and dimension to the scene.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

Mix yellow ochre with white for the sunlit areas of the buildings. Use burnt umber and blue to create the shadows. Add a touch of red to the yellow for warmer tones.

techniques

·blocking in
·chiaroscuro
·dry brushing
·color mixing
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a clear light source.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the shadows.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 16x20
·Oil paints: yellow ochre, burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red, ultramarine blue
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (flat and round)
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Palette knife
·Rags