plate no. 3563

Birthday

Dorothea Tanning, 1942

oilSurrealismsymbolic paintingfiguredoorsinteriormonsterdraperyportrait

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure painting, creating depth through perspective, and rendering textures like fabric and wood.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, doors, and creature.
step 02
Establish the perspective of the room and the receding doorways.
step 03
Block in the main color areas for the figure, drapery, and background.
step 04
Develop the skin tones of the figure, paying attention to subtle variations in light and shadow.
step 05
Render the details of the clothing, including the lace and the texture of the branches.
step 06
Paint the creature, focusing on its unique anatomy and expression.
step 07
Add details to the doors and the wooden floor, creating a sense of realism.
step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and adding highlights to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · burnt umber · purple

secondary · yellow ochre · sap green · raw sienna

Mix various browns and grays by combining black, white, and umber. Achieve the purple by mixing red and blue, and adjust the hue with white or other colors.

techniques