plate no. 6581

Muros Biombos

Xul Solar, 1948

oilSurrealismcityscapecityscapearchitecturewallsfiguresskytrees

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in perspective, geometric shapes, and creating depth through color and value variations. It also encourages exploration of surrealist themes and imaginative composition.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and perspective lines of the walls and buildings.
step 02
Define the individual brick shapes within the walls, paying attention to their size and placement.
step 03
Establish the light source and begin applying base colors to the walls, creating subtle value shifts to indicate form.
step 04
Paint the sky with a gradient of dark to light, suggesting depth and atmosphere.
step 05
Add the details of the faces on the buildings, focusing on simple geometric shapes.
step 06
Paint the trees and foliage using a stippling or dabbing technique to create texture.
step 07
Refine the details of the brickwork, adding shadows and highlights to enhance the three-dimensional effect.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed to achieve the desired mood and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · tan · light brown · gray

secondary · dark brown · green · purple-gray

Mix the tan and brown colors with white to create lighter shades for highlights. Use a touch of purple or blue to create cooler grays for shadows.

techniques

·linear perspective
·geometric abstraction
·color layering
·dry brushing
·stippling

common pitfalls

→Inaccurate perspective leading to a flat or distorted image.
→Overly detailed brickwork that distracts from the overall composition.
→Muddy colors resulting from over-mixing.
→Ignoring the subtle value shifts that create depth and form.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·acrylic paints (tan, light brown, gray, dark brown, green, white, purple)
·round brushes (various sizes)
·flat brushes (various sizes)
·palette
·water container

optional

·palette knife
·ruler
·masking tape
·medium gloss

Use a canvas with a smooth surface to facilitate the application of fine details. Acrylics are recommended for their quick drying time and ease of use.

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