plate no. 5074

La Ville Entiere

Max Ernst, 1936

oilSurrealismlandscapevegetationplantsleavesskyfigurelandscape

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering, creating depth through overlapping forms, and rendering complex organic shapes with subtle tonal variations. It also encourages careful observation of detail and the creation of a surreal atmosphere.

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 main plant structures and the figure.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin layer of blue, allowing for variations in tone.
step 03
Establish the darkest values in the foreground vegetation to create depth.
step 04
Begin layering the leaves, varying the greens and browns to create a sense of texture and depth.
step 05
Carefully render the figure and the animal, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 06
Add details to the plants, such as the flowers and berries, using small brushes.
step 07
Refine the overall composition by adjusting values and adding highlights.
step 08
Add final details and glazes to unify the painting and enhance the surreal atmosphere.

color palette

primary · viridian green · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red · titanium white

Achieve the various greens by mixing viridian green with yellow ochre and burnt umber. Use white to lighten the blues and greens for highlights. Create depth by layering darker, more muted tones in the shadows.

techniques

·layering
·glazing
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·blending

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of depth.
→Using too much pure color without mixing to create subtle variations.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure early on.
→Not paying enough attention to the overlapping forms of the vegetation.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (viridian green, ultramarine blue, burnt umber, yellow ochre, cadmium red, titanium white)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·palette

optional