plate no. 1439
Dead Leaves
Remedios Varo, 1956
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures, creating atmospheric perspective, and understanding surrealist composition. It also provides practice in creating subtle color variations and textures.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the figures, room, and key elements.
- step 02
Establish the overall tonal values with a thin wash of burnt umber.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of the figures and the room, focusing on accurate proportions.
- step 04
Develop the textures of the carpet and the walls using dry brush techniques.
- step 05
Refine the details of the figures, including the hair, dress, and internal structure of the male figure.
- step 06
Add the thread connecting the figures, paying attention to its curvature and weight.
- step 07
Introduce subtle color variations and highlights to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Add the final details, such as the leaves and the bird, to complete the surreal atmosphere.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · olive green
secondary · cadmium red · payne's gray
Achieve the muted tones by mixing burnt umber and raw sienna with white. Use small amounts of red and green to create subtle color shifts in the figures and the room.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·dry brush
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·figure drawing
common pitfalls
- →Inaccurate proportions of the figures
- →Overly saturated colors
- →Lack of depth in the room
- →Ignoring the subtle tonal variations
- →Uneven texture on the carpet and walls
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·olive green oil paint
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·payne's gray oil paint
Use a canvas with a fine weave to allow for detailed brushwork. Consider using a toned canvas to establish the overall tonal values more easily.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
