plate no. 8823

Instant Relief Therapy

oilSurrealismportraitfiguresportraitrabbitmedicalinteriorsmoke

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portrait painting, including rendering skin tones and facial features, as well as understanding dramatic lighting and creating a focal point.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the overall proportions.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of burnt umber and raw sienna.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures, paying attention to the light and shadow areas.
step 04
Begin layering the skin tones, starting with the darker areas and gradually adding highlights.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, focusing on the textures and folds.
step 06
Paint the rabbit, paying attention to the fur and the details of the face.
step 07
Add the smoke effect using thin, wispy brushstrokes of white and gray.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix various shades of brown and ochre for the skin tones and clothing, using white to create highlights and black to create shadows. Use thin washes of color to create the smoke effect.

techniques