plate no. 3384

Greek Head and Blue Dress

Antonio Lopez Garcia, 1958

oilSurrealismsymbolic paintingstill lifewindowdresssculptureflowerstable

some experience helpful

This painting offers a chance to practice rendering light and shadow on different textures, as well as creating depth through atmospheric perspective. Students can also develop skills in capturing the subtle color variations within a limited palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and composition, focusing on proportions.
step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, starting with the background and largest shapes.
step 03
Establish the light and shadow patterns on the sculpture and dress.
step 04
Gradually build up layers of color, refining the forms and details.
step 05
Pay attention to the subtle color shifts in the light and shadow areas.
step 06
Add details to the still life elements on the table.
step 07
Refine the edges and details throughout the painting.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red light · violet

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining white, umber, and small amounts of blue or red. Achieve the blue of the dress by mixing ultramarine with white and a touch of violet. Use yellow ochre and white for the highlights on the sculpture.

techniques