plate no. 9993

La casa fantasmal

Angel Planells, 1932

oilSurrealismsymbolic paintingarchitectureseaskycloudsfigureportrait

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering textures like stone and fabric, as well as understanding surrealist composition and symbolism. It also provides practice in painting realistic skies and figures.

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 building, figures, and background elements.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, sea, and ground, establishing the overall tonal values.
step 03
Begin refining the details of the building, paying attention to the textures and shadows.
step 04
Paint the figures, starting with the underpainting and gradually adding details and highlights.
step 05
Work on the interior scene visible through the doorway, focusing on creating depth and perspective.
step 06
Add the smaller details, such as the objects inside the building and the bird in the window.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting colors and values as needed to create a cohesive and surreal atmosphere.
step 08
Apply a final varnish to protect the painting and enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · sky blue · sand beige · grey-green · cerulean blue

secondary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of blue and white for the sky and sea. Use earth tones like burnt sienna and yellow ochre to create the sandy ground and building textures. Mix ultramarine blue with white and a touch of yellow to achieve the blue of the monk's robe.

techniques