plate no. 8238

El jugador fantasma

Angel Planells, 1936

oilSurrealismsymbolic paintinglandscapefigurecloudsseahorsearchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in surrealist composition and rendering dreamlike imagery. It also provides practice in creating smooth gradients and rendering textures like sand and clouds.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the placement of the figure, horse, and landscape elements.
step 02
Block in the main color areas, starting with the sky and sea.
step 03
Develop the cloud formations, using soft blending techniques.
step 04
Paint the landscape elements, focusing on the textures of the rocks and sand.
step 05
Render the figure and horse, paying attention to the details of the clothing and anatomy.
step 06
Add the surreal elements, such as the hand and the violin, ensuring they blend with the overall style.
step 07
Refine the details and add highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix various shades of blue and white for the sky and sea. Use raw umber and yellow ochre for the sand and rocks. Create flesh tones by mixing red, yellow, white, and a touch of brown.

techniques