plate no. 6915

Allegory of Winter

Remedios Varo, 1948

gouache, paperSurrealismlandscapetreesbirdsflowerslandscapesurrealgeometric shapes

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering transparent objects, creating depth through atmospheric perspective, and understanding surrealist composition.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees and geometric shapes.
step 02
Establish the background with muted browns and grays, creating a sense of depth.
step 03
Paint the tree trunks with varying shades of brown, adding texture to mimic bark.
step 04
Carefully render the geometric shapes, paying attention to their transparency and subtle shading.
step 05
Paint the contents of the geometric shapes (birds, flowers) with detail and accuracy.
step 06
Add the connecting lines between the shapes, using a fine brush and light color.
step 07
Refine the details, such as the thorns on the trees and the subtle highlights on the geometric shapes.
step 08
Add final touches to enhance the overall atmosphere and surreal quality.