plate no. 6249

Departure

Edward Wadsworth, 1938

oilSurrealismsymbolic paintingluresskyseascapelighthouseropeabstract forms

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in creating smooth gradients, rendering geometric forms, and understanding surrealist composition. It also encourages careful observation of subtle color variations and highlights.

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 horizon line, lighthouses, and the hanging objects.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, creating a subtle gradient from darker at the top to lighter near the horizon.
step 03
Paint the wooden beam and the wall behind the hanging objects using a warm, light brown, paying attention to the wood grain.
step 04
Begin painting the lighthouses and the pier, focusing on their geometric shapes and subtle shadows.
step 05
Carefully render the hanging objects, paying close attention to their shapes, colors, and the way light interacts with them.
step 06
Add the ropes, creating the illusion of depth and texture.
step 07
Paint the abstract forms in the foreground, using a limited palette of browns and grays.
step 08
Add final details, such as the birds in the sky and the subtle highlights on the objects.

color palette

primary · sky blue · tan · brown · white

secondary · red · grey · yellow ochre

Achieve the sky gradient by gradually mixing white into the blue. The browns can be mixed from burnt umber, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. The tan is white with a touch of brown and yellow.

techniques