plate no. 8981

On Time Off Time

Dorothea Tanning, 1948

oilSurrealismsymbolic paintingarchitecturesmokefirefiguresunflowerwindow

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering complex forms like smoke and fire, as well as creating a surreal and dreamlike atmosphere through color and composition. It will also help with understanding how to create depth and perspective in a somewhat abstract setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic structure of the architectural elements, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the sky, the ground, and the general tones of the smoke and fire.
step 03
Begin to refine the shapes of the smoke, using layers of lighter and darker values to create volume.
step 04
Add the details of the sunflower and the figure in the window.
step 05
Develop the fire, using reds, oranges, and yellows to create a sense of heat and movement.
step 06
Refine the architectural details, adding shadows and highlights to create depth.
step 07
Add the text 'On Time Off Time' to the window frame.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a cohesive and surreal atmosphere.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · cadmium yellow · ivory black

Mix various shades of brown and ochre by combining yellow ochre, burnt umber, and white. Achieve the smoke's gray tones by mixing white with small amounts of black and blue. Create the fire's vibrant colors by blending cadmium red, cadmium yellow, and a touch of burnt umber.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·layering
·blending

common pitfalls

→Getting the perspective of the architectural elements wrong.
→Making the smoke look flat and lifeless.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
→Overworking the details and losing the overall surreal effect.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 18x24
·Oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt umber, titanium white, ultramarine blue, cadmium red, cadmium yellow, ivory black)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags