plate no. 7106

Extinction of Useless Lights

Yves Tanguy, 1927

oilSurrealismlandscapelandscapeskyfiguresabstract formssmokefield

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as practicing rendering abstract forms with light and shadow. It also encourages experimentation with surrealist composition.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the horizon line and major forms.
step 02
Block in the sky with a gradient of blues and grays, blending smoothly.
step 03
Establish the base color of the field using a mix of browns and ochres.
step 04
Add the tall, dark structure on the left, paying attention to its irregular shape and internal highlights.
step 05
Paint the abstract figures in the foreground and midground, using a limited palette of reds, browns, and whites.
step 06
Add the details of the field, using small brushstrokes to create the texture of the grass.
step 07
Paint the ethereal elements in the sky, such as the clouds and floating objects, with soft, blended edges.
step 08
Refine the details and add any final highlights or shadows.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and adding white. The sky requires careful blending of blues and grays. The field is built up with layers of browns and ochres.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·atmospheric perspective
·blending

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the field, leading to a cluttered appearance.
→Using colors that are too saturated, which will detract from the painting's muted atmosphere.
→Failing to create a sense of depth in the sky and field.
→Inaccurate rendering of the abstract forms, making them appear flat or unconvincing.