plate no. 0064

Autoportretas Nr. 6

Sarunas Sauka3, 1987

oilSurrealismsymbolic paintingfigureforestjarpicklespathnight sky

experienced study

Recreating this painting would help students develop skills in rendering complex skin tones and creating atmospheric perspective in a nocturnal landscape. It also encourages experimentation with surreal and symbolic imagery.

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 figure, jar, and path.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, establishing the dark background and lighter foreground.
step 03
Begin layering the skin tones of the figure, using a variety of pinks, browns, and yellows.
step 04
Develop the details of the forest, using loose brushstrokes to create texture and depth.
step 05
Paint the jar of pickles, paying attention to the transparency and reflections.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create form and dimension.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed.
step 08
Add final glazes for depth and unity.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · alizarin crimson

secondary · sap green · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of brown and green for the forest. Use alizarin crimson and white for the figure's skin tones, adding touches of yellow ochre for warmth. Create the jar's transparency by layering thin washes of green and white.

techniques

·layering
·glazing
·scumbling
·alla prima
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impression.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
→Inaccurate skin tone rendering, resulting in a flat or unnatural appearance.
→Not capturing the transparency and reflections of the jar.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (burnt umber, titanium white, alizarin crimson, sap green, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette knife
·rags