plate no. 5124

Dolor de mediodía

Angel Planells, 1932

oilSurrealismsymbolic paintingfigurelandscapearchitectureskysurrealsymbolic

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering surreal forms and creating a sense of depth through perspective and value changes. It will also challenge them to mix subtle color variations to achieve the desired mood.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the perspective lines and the placement of the main figures and architectural elements.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and the ground.
step 03
Begin to define the forms of the main figure and the building, using light and shadow to create depth.
step 04
Add details to the figure, including the smaller figures embedded in its form and the dripping elements.
step 05
Paint the surreal elements, such as the floating frame and the melting forms, paying attention to their unique textures and colors.
step 06
Refine the details of the architectural elements, including the textures of the walls and the shadows cast by the buildings.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the figure in the background and the small objects on the ground.
step 08
Review the painting and make any necessary adjustments to the colors, values, and details.

color palette

primary · titanium white · cerulean blue · raw umber

secondary · cadmium red · sap green · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of gray by combining white, umber, and a touch of blue or red. Create the skin tones by blending white, red, and yellow ochre, adjusting the proportions to achieve the desired hue.

techniques