plate no. 5184

Inferno

Sarunas Sauka3, 1992

oilSurrealismreligious paintingfiguressurrealreligiouslandscapecaveboat

advanced study

Recreating this painting would develop skills in complex composition, layering, and rendering a wide range of textures and forms. Students will also learn to manage a complex color palette and create depth through atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 60 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the major compositional elements and focal point.
step 02
Establish the darkest darks and lightest lights to create a value structure.
step 03
Block in the large shapes with basic colors, focusing on the overall color harmony.
step 04
Begin layering details, working from background to foreground.
step 05
Develop the textures and forms using a variety of brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the color palette, adding subtle variations and highlights.
step 07
Pay close attention to edges, softening some and sharpening others to create depth.
step 08
Add final details and glazes to unify the painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · raw sienna

Achieve the diverse range of colors by mixing the primary colors with each other and with white. Use glazes of diluted color to create depth and luminosity.

techniques

·layering
·glazing
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the initial freshness.
→Getting bogged down in details too early.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Inconsistent brushwork.
→Muddying the colors by overmixing.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red, yellow ochre, raw sienna)
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·palette
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits

optional