plate no. 6091

The Angel of the home or the Triumph of Surrealism

Max Ernst, 1937

oil, canvasSurrealismsymbolic paintingfiguremonstersurrealabstractskylandscape

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle gradients and understanding how to create a sense of depth and form through value changes. It also encourages exploration of surreal and abstract forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition of the figure and landscape.
step 02
Establish the background sky with thin washes of color, blending hues to create a soft, atmospheric effect.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the figure with base colors, focusing on the overall shapes and proportions.
step 04
Begin layering colors to build up the form and create depth, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 05
Refine the details of the figure, adding textures and defining the edges.
step 06
Work on the landscape, adding details and blending colors to create a sense of depth.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall contrast and create a sense of realism.
step 08
Step back and make any necessary adjustments to the composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · cadmium red · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix burnt umber and cadmium red to create the various shades of the figure. Use white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Mix ultramarine blue and yellow ochre to create the muted greens and blues of the sky.

techniques