plate no. 1963
Self-Portrait (Inn of the Dawn Horse)
Leonora Carrington, 1938
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, creating surrealist compositions, and rendering textures with subtle color variations. It also encourages exploring symbolic representation through subject matter.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 7 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, animals, and architectural elements.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background and floor.
- step 03
Develop the figure, paying attention to proportions and anatomical accuracy.
- step 04
Add details to the animals, focusing on their unique characteristics and textures.
- step 05
Render the curtains and other decorative elements, creating a sense of depth and realism.
- step 06
Refine the lighting and shadows, creating a sense of atmosphere and mood.
- step 07
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · gray · brown · yellow · green
secondary · red · blue · white
Mix various shades of gray by combining white with small amounts of black, brown, and blue. Achieve the floor color by mixing burnt sienna with a touch of yellow and white.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·blending
- ·rendering form
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions in the figure drawing.
- →Overly harsh or unrealistic lighting.
- →Lack of attention to detail in the animals' features.
- →Flat or lifeless rendering of the textures.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas
- ·Oil paints (gray, brown, yellow, green, red, blue, white, black)
- ·Palette
- ·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·Linseed oil
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Palette knife
optional
- ·Retouch varnish
- ·Painting medium
Use a medium-grain canvas for optimal texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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