plate no. 6973

Skeletons in an office

Paul Delvaux, 1944

oil, canvasSurrealismsymbolic paintingskeletonsinteriorroomfurniturebookswindow

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering complex forms and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in depicting textures and details within an interior scene.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the skeletons and furniture.
step 02
Establish the background by painting the walls, window, and bookcase with thin washes of color.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the furniture, table, and floor, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Start building up the forms of the skeletons, using layers of paint to create depth and detail.
step 05
Refine the details of the skeletons, including the bones, joints, and ribcage.
step 06
Add details to the furniture, books, and other objects in the room.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors to create a sense of atmosphere and depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · ivory black · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · viridian · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Mix raw umber and ivory black with white to create the various shades of gray and brown used throughout the painting. Use yellow ochre to create the warm tones of the skeletons and furniture. Mix viridian and ultramarine blue to create the green of the table cloth.

techniques

·underpainting
·layering
·glazing
·scumbling
·rendering

common pitfalls

→Getting lost in the details too early without establishing the overall composition and values.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
→Making the skeletons look flat and lifeless.
→Inaccurate proportions of the skeletons and furniture.