plate no. 0441
El somni viatja
Angel Planells, 1936
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic figures and objects in a surreal context, as well as blending colors to create smooth gradients and subtle atmospheric effects.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the placement of the figures, horse, tree, and rocks.
- step 02
Block in the sky with light washes of pink, blue, and white, blending the colors smoothly.
- step 03
Establish the base color of the ground using a mix of browns and yellows, creating subtle variations in tone.
- step 04
Paint the horse and figures, focusing on accurate proportions and realistic rendering of skin tones and clothing.
- step 05
Add details to the tree, including the bark texture, branches, and surreal objects hanging from it.
- step 06
Paint the rocks and other objects in the landscape, paying attention to their form and shading.
- step 07
Refine the details and add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Add final touches and glazes to unify the painting and enhance the colors.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ultramarine blue · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · sap green · raw sienna
Mix various shades of brown and yellow for the ground. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Mix blue and red for the officer's jacket.
techniques
- ·blending
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·rendering
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →inaccurate proportions of figures
- →muddy color mixing
- →lack of depth and dimension
- →overworking details
- →inconsistent lighting
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·mineral spirits (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Acrylics are more beginner-friendly, while oils offer richer colors and blending capabilities.
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