plate no. 7961

Green Tea

Leonora Carrington, 1942

oilSurrealismsymbolic paintinglandscapefiguredogsgardenskysurreal

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as understanding surrealist composition and symbolism. Students will also learn to render smooth gradations and subtle color shifts.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, landscape, and other key elements.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and background landscape.
step 03
Develop the details of the figure, paying attention to the light and shadow on the draped fabric.
step 04
Add details to the landscape, including the trees, hedges, and architectural elements.
step 05
Paint the dogs and other foreground elements, focusing on their form and texture.
step 06
Refine the colors and values throughout the painting, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the reflections in the water and the small figures in the background.
step 08
Glaze the painting to unify the colors and create a smooth, luminous finish.

color palette

primary · sap green · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · cerulean blue

Mix greens by blending sap green with yellow ochre and titanium white. Create muted tones by adding small amounts of burnt umber to the greens and blues.

techniques