plate no. 4592

Jeannine, Lorenzo and Bunny

oilSurrealismportraitfiguresportraitdogchildrenclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplified portraiture, limited color palettes, and expressive brushwork to create texture and form. It also encourages observation of subtle value changes within a limited range.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and figures using a thin brush or charcoal.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin wash of yellow ochre and raw umber.
step 03
Establish the basic skin tones using a mix of white, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt sienna.
step 04
Define the darker areas of the faces and clothing with raw umber and black, paying attention to the simplified shadows.
step 05
Add details to the dog using black and raw umber, focusing on the shape and texture of the fur.
step 06
Refine the features of the faces, adding subtle highlights and shadows.
step 07
Outline key areas with thin lines of black to define the forms.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · black

Mix yellow ochre and raw umber for the base background and skin tones. Add white to lighten and burnt sienna for warmer tones. Use black sparingly for shadows and outlines.

techniques