plate no. 7069
Barbarians Marching to the West
Max Ernst, 1937
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding surrealist composition and symbolic representation.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and landscape elements.
- step 02
Establish the background sky with a light blue wash.
- step 03
Block in the main figures with dark browns and blacks, paying attention to their forms and proportions.
- step 04
Begin layering colors to create texture and detail on the figures, using a dry brush technique.
- step 05
Add highlights and shadows to define the forms and create depth.
- step 06
Paint the landscape elements, using similar layering techniques to create texture.
- step 07
Refine the details and add any final touches.
- step 08
Consider adding a glaze to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · ivory black
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red · titanium white
Mix browns and blacks with small amounts of red and yellow to create warm and cool variations. Use white to create highlights and lighten the blues for the sky.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of form.
- →Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Not paying attention to the proportions of the figures.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints (ultramarine blue, burnt umber, ivory black, yellow ochre, cadmium red, titanium white)
- ·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or mineral spirits
- ·rags
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·varnish
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Experiment with different brush sizes and types to achieve different textures.
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