plate no. 5472
Asleep
Toyen, 1937
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice blending techniques to create smooth gradients and understand how to create a sense of depth using atmospheric perspective. It also provides an opportunity to explore surrealist symbolism and personal interpretation.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the figure's placement and the horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the sky, ground, figure's coat, and hair.
- step 03
Begin blending the sky colors to create a smooth gradient, from dark at the top to lighter near the horizon.
- step 04
Develop the ground with layers of brown and ochre, blending to create subtle variations in tone.
- step 05
Add the details of the figure's coat, including the cracks and dark smudges.
- step 06
Paint the hair with variations of brown and yellow, adding highlights and shadows.
- step 07
Create the green flag, paying attention to its shape and subtle shading.
- step 08
Refine the details and adjust the overall values to create a cohesive and atmospheric painting.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · sap green · ivory black
Mix various shades of brown for the ground by combining burnt umber, yellow ochre, and white. Achieve the sky's gradient by gradually adding white to ultramarine blue. The green flag is created by mixing sap green with white and a touch of yellow.
techniques
- ·blending
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
common pitfalls
- →Over-blending, resulting in a flat, lifeless surface.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the ground and sky.
- →Making the figure's coat too bright and clean.
- →Not paying attention to the proportions of the figure.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·mineral spirits or odorless thinner (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retarder medium
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. If using acrylics, consider using a retarder medium to extend the drying time and allow for easier blending.
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