plate no. 1981

A Vision of the Tomb

Ibrahim Salahi, 1965

oilSurrealismsymbolic paintingabstract shapesgeometric formssymbolic figuresneutral background

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in abstract composition, color harmony with a limited palette, and creating depth through layering and subtle value changes.

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 and composition of the central figure and surrounding forms.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin, even layer of neutral gray.
step 03
Begin filling in the larger shapes of the central figure with the dominant colors (blue, black, red).
step 04
Add the smaller geometric details and connecting lines, paying attention to their placement and proportions.
step 05
Introduce subtle value variations within each color area to create depth and dimension.
step 06
Refine the edges of the shapes and forms, softening some and sharpening others.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the small circles and lines, to complete the composition.
step 08
Evaluate the overall balance and harmony of the painting and make any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · neutral gray · ultramarine blue · black · red

secondary · white · light pink

Achieve the various shades of gray by mixing black and white. Create muted reds by mixing red with a touch of black or gray. The blue is a clean ultramarine.

techniques