plate no. 0307

Suicide

Sarunas Sauka3, 1995

oilSurrealismsymbolic paintingfiguresflowersgraveyardsurrealdeathlandscape

advanced study

Recreating this painting would develop skills in figure drawing, complex composition, and creating a surreal atmosphere through color and detail. Students would also learn about layering and glazing techniques to achieve depth and luminosity.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 40 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a detailed sketch outlining the placement of all figures and elements.
step 02
Establish the background color and general light source.
step 03
Block in the main figures with basic skin tones, paying attention to proportions.
step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to create depth and form in the figures.
step 05
Add details to the faces and bodies, focusing on individual expressions and anatomy.
step 06
Paint the flowers and graveyard elements, using a variety of colors and textures.
step 07
Refine the overall composition by adjusting values and adding highlights.
step 08
Add final details and glazes to enhance the surreal atmosphere.

color palette

primary · flesh tones (various) · yellow ochre · raw umber

secondary · cerulean blue · cadmium red · sap green · titanium white

Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, raw umber, and cadmium red with varying amounts of titanium white. Use cerulean blue to create the blue figure and to cool down certain areas.

techniques

·figure drawing
·glazing
·layering
·scumbling
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Getting lost in the complexity of the composition.
→Failing to establish a clear focal point.
→Inaccurate figure proportions.
→Overworking the details before establishing the overall form.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (24x36 inches)
·oil paints (yellow ochre, raw umber, cadmium red, cerulean blue, sap green, titanium white, burnt umber)
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·palette
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette knife