plate no. 6905

Garden Airplane Trap

Max Ernst, 1935

oil, canvasSurrealismsymbolic paintinglandscapeabstract formsgeometric shapesplantssurrealgarden

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve muted tones and understanding complex compositions with overlapping forms. It also encourages exploration of surrealist concepts and symbolic representation.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic geometric shapes and the overall composition, focusing on the perspective of the planes.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the green background, the brown planes, and the lighter beige/yellow 'leaves'.
step 03
Start adding shading and highlights to define the geometric forms and create depth.
step 04
Begin working on the details of the 'plant' forms, paying attention to the intricate shapes and color variations.
step 05
Mix and apply the secondary colors to the plants, focusing on creating texture and depth.
step 06
Refine the edges of the geometric shapes and the plants, adding subtle details and highlights.
step 07
Add final touches and glazes to unify the painting and enhance the overall atmosphere.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · ochre · burnt umber · sap green · titanium white

secondary · cerulean blue · cadmium red · yellow ochre

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and adding white or raw umber to dull the intensity. Use glazes of thinned color to create depth and subtle variations.

techniques