plate no. 5030

Supermarket

Tetsuya Ishida, 1997

oilSurrealismsymbolic paintingfiguresupermarketconveyor beltboxesshelvescash register

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic skin tones, depicting complex machinery, and creating a surreal atmosphere through detailed observation and precise brushwork. It will also improve perspective and spatial relationships.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a detailed pencil sketch, paying close attention to perspective and proportions of the figure and machinery.
step 02
Establish the background shelves filled with boxes, focusing on accurate shapes and sizes.
step 03
Block in the main color masses for the figure, conveyor belts, and cash register using thin washes.
step 04
Start building up layers of color on the figure, focusing on subtle value changes to create realistic skin tones.
step 05
Add details to the conveyor belts and machinery, paying attention to highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth.
step 06
Paint the boxes on the shelves and conveyor belts, carefully rendering their labels and details.
step 07
Refine the lighting and shadows throughout the painting to enhance the surreal atmosphere.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · ivory black

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining raw umber, burnt sienna, ivory black, and titanium white. Use yellow ochre and cadmium red for skin tones, and ultramarine blue to cool down the shadows.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·layering
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Inaccurate proportions in the figure or machinery.
→Overly saturated colors that detract from the muted atmosphere.
→Lack of attention to detail in the boxes and labels.
→Inconsistent lighting and shadows.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (raw umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, ivory black)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags