plate no. 7178

Celestial Bodies

oilSurrealismportraitfigureswingsstarsplanetsskyoptical illusion

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering human figures, creating atmospheric perspective, and understanding complex compositions with optical illusions. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and light in a dark environment.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures and planets.
step 02
Block in the background with dark blue, creating a gradient effect and leaving space for the stars.
step 03
Add the larger star clusters and galaxies using white and yellow paint, blending them into the background.
step 04
Begin rendering the figures with a base layer of yellow ochre, gradually building up highlights and shadows.
step 05
Carefully paint the details of the wings, paying attention to the individual feathers and their texture.
step 06
Add the details of the faces and bodies, focusing on the subtle shading and highlights to create a sense of depth.
step 07
Paint the planets with a base layer of white, then add the continents and oceans using blues, greens, and browns.
step 08
Add the final details, such as the small stars and highlights on the figures and planets.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · raw umber · cadmium yellow

Mix yellow ochre with white for highlights on the figures, and burnt sienna with raw umber for shadows. Use ultramarine blue and white to create the various shades of the night sky.

techniques