plate no. 3252

Portrait of Max Ernst

Leonora Carrington, 1939

oilSurrealismportraitfigurehorselandscapeiceportraitlantern

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in blending colors to create smooth transitions and layering to build up textures, particularly for the fur and ice.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, paying attention to the proportions of the figure and horse.
step 02
Establish the background sky and distant landscape with smooth gradients of blue and gray.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the figure's robe and the horse, focusing on accurate color matching.
step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to create the fur texture of the robe, using short, directional brushstrokes.
step 05
Add details to the horse, including the icicles and subtle shading to define its form.
step 06
Paint the figure's face, paying attention to the subtle variations in skin tone and the expression.
step 07
Add the lantern and its glow, using highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth.
step 08
Refine the details and add any final touches to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · red · white · blue · gray

secondary · yellow · green · black

Achieve the robe's red by mixing a deep crimson with touches of brown and black for shadows. Create the icy blues and grays by mixing white with varying amounts of blue and black.

techniques