plate no. 3131

Napoleon in the Wilderness

Max Ernst, 1941

oil, canvasSurrealismsymbolic paintingfigureslandscapestatuesseaskysurreal

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create texture and rendering complex forms with subtle value changes. It also encourages imaginative composition and surrealist concepts.

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 placement of the figures and landscape elements.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the general color of the sky and sea.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the figures and the surrounding structures.
step 04
Begin layering colors to create texture and depth in the figures and structures.
step 05
Add details to the figures, focusing on the subtle value changes and textures.
step 06
Refine the background, blending the sky and sea colors smoothly.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the forms.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red · sap green · ivory black

Achieve the earthy tones by mixing burnt sienna, yellow ochre, and white. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky and sea, adding small amounts of other colors to create subtle variations. Mix greens from blue and yellow.

techniques