plate no. 8366

Objekt-fantom

Toyen, 1937

oilSurrealismsymbolic paintingeyesphererockslandscapesurrealsky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in blending, creating smooth gradients, and rendering three-dimensional forms with subtle value changes. It also encourages exploration of surrealist concepts and symbolic representation.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes: the sphere and the horizon line.
step 02
Block in the background colors: dark blue for the sky and a muted green/brown for the ground.
step 03
Establish the light and shadow on the sphere using dark browns and light creams.
step 04
Begin layering the texture of the sphere with short, directional brushstrokes.
step 05
Paint the eye details, starting with the yellow iris and black pupil.
step 06
Add highlights to the sphere and the eye to create a sense of depth.
step 07
Paint the small rocks and pebbles, paying attention to their shadows.
step 08
Refine details and adjust values to create a cohesive and surreal atmosphere.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · raw sienna · black

Mix browns with blues and yellows to create the muted tones of the ground and the sphere. Use white to create highlights and lighten the browns.

techniques

·blending
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·layering
·glazing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the texture of the sphere, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Failing to establish a strong light source, leading to a flat and lifeless rendering.
→Inaccurate proportions of the eye within the sphere.
→Ignoring subtle color variations in the ground and background.