plate no. 6533

Fiordo

Xul Solar, 1943

oilSurrealismlandscapemountainswaterfigurearchitecturestairssky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and linear perspective, as well as practice creating a surreal and imaginative landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountains and the horizon line.
step 02
Establish the light source and indicate areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Block in the main colors for the mountains, water, and sky, starting with the darkest values.
step 04
Gradually build up the layers of color, blending and softening edges to create atmospheric perspective.
step 05
Add details such as the stairs, buildings, and the figure, paying attention to their perspective and proportions.
step 06
Refine the highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Add the reflections in the water, using horizontal strokes and lighter values.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve the desired mood and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · raw sienna · payne's gray

Mix burnt umber and white for the mountains, adding small amounts of blue to create cooler tones in the distance. Use white and blue for the sky, and add a touch of umber to the water for reflections.

techniques

·atmospheric perspective
·linear perspective
·dry brushing
·glazing
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Failing to establish a clear light source.
→Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
→Not paying attention to perspective, causing the elements to appear flat and disjointed.
→Using colors that are too saturated, resulting in a harsh and unrealistic effect.