plate no. 7481

Los extraños jugadores

Angel Planells, 1942

oilSurrealismsymbolic paintingfigureschesslandscapeskyarchitecturetree

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering surreal figures and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective. Students will also practice color mixing to achieve the muted tones of the landscape and the contrasting colors of the figures.

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 figures, chessboard, and background elements.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the sky, landscape, and architectural elements.
step 03
Begin rendering the figures, starting with the skeleton and the other figure, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Paint the chessboard and the surreal objects on it, focusing on accurate shapes and colors.
step 05
Add details to the background, including the distant mountains and the small figures.
step 06
Refine the details of the figures, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and contrast to achieve the desired mood.
step 08
Add final details and touch-ups to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ochre · sky blue · burnt umber · ivory

secondary · cobalt blue · sap green · cadmium yellow · raw sienna

Mix ochre with white and a touch of burnt umber to achieve the landscape colors. Use cobalt blue and white for the sky, adding a touch of burnt umber for the clouds. Mix sap green with yellow and a touch of burnt umber for the green figure.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·rendering
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the background, which can distract from the main figures.
→Failing to create a sense of depth in the landscape.
→Inaccurate color mixing, resulting in colors that are too bright or saturated.
→Not paying attention to the light and shadow on the figures, which can make them look flat.