plate no. 1516

The Burning of Giordano Bruno

Leonora Carrington, 1964

oilSurrealismhistory paintingliondeerbirdgeometric shapesmythical creaturesfigures

experienced study

Recreating this painting will develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as accurately rendering complex geometric and organic forms. Students will also learn how to create a unified color scheme with subtle variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Prepare the canvas with a warm reddish-brown base color.
step 02
Lightly sketch the main geometric shapes and figures using a pencil or light-colored chalk.
step 03
Begin layering in the background colors, focusing on creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 04
Start defining the shapes of the lion, deer, bird, and other figures with darker shades of brown and red.
step 05
Add highlights to the figures and geometric shapes using lighter shades of ochre and white.
step 06
Refine the details of the figures, paying attention to the intricate patterns and textures.
step 07
Add the finer geometric details and lines with a fine brush.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the depth.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · raw umber · ochre

secondary · titanium white · cadmium red light

Achieve the various shades of brown and red by mixing burnt sienna, raw umber, and cadmium red light. Use white to create highlights and ochre to add warmth.

techniques