plate no. 3851

The Alphabet for 60 yo Children

Iurie Matei, 2007

oilSurrealismsymbolic paintingfigurescandlesticksclownslettersdripsbooks

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic figures, creating atmospheric perspective, and layering translucent glazes to achieve depth and luminosity. It also provides practice in depicting a variety of textures and surfaces.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main figures, candlesticks, and other elements.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of green and blue.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures and objects with simplified values.
step 04
Start building up the form of the figures using layers of thin paint, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
step 05
Add the details of the faces, hands, and clothing, using smaller brushes.
step 06
Paint the candlesticks and other objects, focusing on their metallic sheen and textures.
step 07
Create the dripping effect with diluted blue paint, allowing it to run naturally.
step 08
Add the floating letters and other symbolic elements, paying attention to their placement and scale.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · burnt sienna

Mix various shades of skin tones using white, yellow ochre, raw umber, and a touch of red. Achieve the green background by mixing blue and yellow ochre, and adjust the shade with white or umber.

techniques