plate no. 7611

La señora impúdica

Angel Planells, 1933

oilSurrealismsymbolic paintingfigureportraitsurrealsymbolismfacelandscape

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, surrealist composition, and creating a sense of depth through layering and atmospheric perspective. The painting also offers an opportunity to practice rendering skin tones and creating smooth gradients.

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 figure and other elements.
step 02
Block in the background colors, establishing the dark sky and lighter ground.
step 03
Begin layering the skin tones of the figure, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 04
Paint the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, as well as the surrealist markings.
step 05
Add the other elements, such as the floating heads, the ball, and the small figure at the bottom.
step 06
Refine the details and add any final touches.
step 07
Glaze areas to unify the colors and create depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of realism.

color palette

primary · flesh tones (various) · black · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · cerulean blue · viridian green · cadmium red · titanium white

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red. Use black and white to create the dark background and the light areas of the floating heads.

techniques