plate no. 3213

Kiss of the Sea

oilSurrealismportraitseatreefacesskysurrealportrait

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in blending subtle color variations and creating smooth transitions, as well as understanding surrealist composition and implied forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the tree, faces, and horizon line, paying attention to the overall composition.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, sea, and tree trunk with diluted washes.
step 03
Begin layering colors in the sky, blending blues and whites to create a soft, atmospheric effect.
step 04
Develop the texture of the sea using short, horizontal brushstrokes and subtle color variations.
step 05
Add details to the tree trunk, defining the shapes of the faces and roots with darker values.
step 06
Refine the details of the faces, paying attention to the subtle shading and highlights.
step 07
Add the small bird in the tree.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall depth and realism.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · burnt umber

secondary · cerulean blue · raw umber · payne's gray

Mix blues and white for the sky, adding small amounts of umber for darker areas. Use umber and white for the tree, layering different shades to create depth. Mix blues and greens for the sea, adding white for highlights.

techniques

·glazing
·dry brushing
·blending
·scumbling
·layering

common pitfalls

→Overblending the sky, resulting in a flat appearance.
→Failing to create enough contrast in the tree trunk, making it appear muddy.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the sea, resulting in a monotonous texture.
→Getting the proportions of the faces wrong.