plate no. 7592

Around Wall Street or portrait of Pablo in NY

Leonora Carrington, 1973

oilSurrealismgenre paintingfiguresdogsarchitecturecityscapesurrealstreet

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as practicing unique brushwork to achieve a surreal texture. Students will also learn to simplify complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures, dogs, and architectural elements.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with a thin wash of diluted browns and grays.
step 03
Begin layering in darker values to define the shadows and create depth in the architectural forms and figures.
step 04
Add the details of the figures and dogs, using small brushes to capture their unique shapes and features.
step 05
Introduce the pops of color, such as the red scarf and the abstract floral shapes, to create visual interest.
step 06
Refine the textures and details with dry brushing and scumbling techniques.
step 07
Add final highlights to enhance the contrast and create a sense of light.
step 08
Glaze with thin washes to unify the colors and create a cohesive atmosphere.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · cerulean blue · yellow ochre

Mix browns and grays by combining umber, sienna, and white. Use small amounts of blue and red to create subtle variations in the shadows. The floral shapes are created with diluted washes of blue, yellow, and pink.

techniques