plate no. 1676

L'Autogène

Jacques Hérold, 1936

oilSurrealismsymbolic paintingabstract figuregrapescatsurrealsymbolicwaves

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing, layering, and creating depth through subtle value changes. It also encourages exploration of surrealist imagery and symbolic representation.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, paying attention to the placement of the figure, grapes, and cat.
step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes, establishing the wave-like pattern and color variations.
step 03
Start defining the main figure, focusing on the large shapes and color masses.
step 04
Begin adding details to the figure, such as the eyes, hair, and other distinguishing features.
step 05
Paint the grapes, using a circular motion to create the individual berries and their shadows.
step 06
Add the cat, paying attention to its proportions and position in relation to the other elements.
step 07
Refine the details and add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · orange · green · purple · brown

secondary · yellow · red · black

Achieve the orange tones by mixing red and yellow, and create variations by adding brown or white. The green can be mixed from blue and yellow, with white added for lighter shades. The purple is a mix of red and blue, with variations achieved by adding white or black.

techniques