plate no. 5388

Lone Tree and United Trees

Max Ernst, 1940

oil, canvasSurrealismsymbolic paintingtreeslandscapeskyrocksfiguresroad

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in creating texture with paint and understanding surrealist composition. It also encourages experimentation with color mixing to achieve unique and unusual color combinations.

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 trees and rocks.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, creating a smooth, even tone.
step 03
Establish the base colors for the trees and rocks, using a mix of browns, greens, and yellows.
step 04
Begin adding texture to the trees and rocks using thick paint and varied brushstrokes.
step 05
Develop the details of the figures and other smaller elements in the landscape.
step 06
Refine the colors and values, adding highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Pay attention to the surreal and dreamlike quality of the painting, emphasizing the unusual shapes and colors.
step 08
Add final details and adjustments to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · sap green · titanium white · cadmium yellow

Achieve the unique colors by mixing primary colors with white and small amounts of secondary colors. Experiment with layering colors to create depth and texture.

techniques