plate no. 8291

Portraits of Paul Eluard, André Breton, Tristan Tzara, René Char, Benjamin Péret, René Crevel

Valentine Hugo, 1932

oilSurrealismsymbolic paintingportraitsfiguresstarssurrealtextcelestial

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, value shading, and creating a surreal, dreamlike atmosphere. It also requires careful attention to detail and layering of elements.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the placement of the portraits, figures, and other elements.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the painting using a dark gray or black.
step 03
Begin layering in lighter values to define the forms of the faces and figures.
step 04
Pay close attention to the subtle gradations of tone to create realistic shading.
step 05
Add the details of the stars, text, and other small elements.
step 06
Refine the edges and contours of the figures to create a sense of depth.
step 07
Adjust the overall contrast and value range to achieve the desired effect.
step 08
Add final highlights to enhance the luminosity of the painting.

color palette

primary · black · white · gray

secondary ·

Achieve various shades of gray by mixing black and white in different proportions. Use thin washes for subtle gradations and thicker applications for darker areas.

techniques