plate no. 0018

Caminen plegats el desasre i el somni

Angel Planells, 1967

oilSurrealismsymbolic paintingskycloudsfigureslandscapemoonarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic skies and clouds, as well as depicting figures in a surreal landscape. It also provides practice in color mixing to achieve the muted tones of the desert and sky.

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, the moon, and the architectural elements.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blue, gradually adding white for the clouds, blending softly.
step 03
Establish the base color for the desert landscape using a mix of browns, yellows, and a touch of red.
step 04
Paint the figures, starting with the underpainting and gradually adding details and highlights.
step 05
Render the architectural elements, paying attention to the subtle shadows and textures.
step 06
Paint the moon, using a light gray and adding subtle variations in tone to create a sense of depth.
step 07
Add the smaller details, such as the writing on the stone and the objects on the ground.
step 08
Refine the painting, adjusting colors and values as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · sky blue · tan · white · brown

secondary · purple · red · yellow · gray

Mix browns and yellows with white to create the desert tones. Use varying amounts of white and blue to create the sky and clouds. A touch of red can warm up the browns.

techniques