plate no. 4091
Le Enchanter
Felix Labisse, 1938
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering human figures with simplified forms and explore color mixing to achieve muted tones. It also provides practice in creating a surreal atmosphere through composition and symbolism.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figures and the bird, focusing on proportions and placement.
- step 02
Block in the background with a muted green, creating a gradient effect.
- step 03
Apply the base colors for the figures, using a mix of browns, grays, and creams.
- step 04
Add shadows and highlights to define the forms of the figures, paying attention to the light source.
- step 05
Paint the bird with a light yellow, adding details like the beak and feathers.
- step 06
Create the leaf wreaths using various shades of green, adding highlights and shadows to give them dimension.
- step 07
Add the surreal elements, such as the jellyfish-like form and the abstract shapes.
- step 08
Refine the details and make any necessary adjustments to the composition.
color palette
primary · muted green · brown · cream · light yellow
secondary · dark green · gray · red
Achieve the muted greens by mixing green with brown or gray. Create the skin tones by blending cream with small amounts of brown, red, and yellow.
techniques
- ·blending
- ·layering
- ·color mixing
- ·simplified forms
- ·surreal composition
common pitfalls
- →overcomplicating the forms
- →using colors that are too bright
- →ignoring the light source
- →not creating a cohesive composition
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·reference photos
Use a medium-sized canvas to capture the details effectively. Acrylic paints are a good option for beginners due to their fast drying time.
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