plate no. 7626

The Call

Remedios Varo, 1961

oil, masoniteSurrealismsymbolic paintingfigurearchitecturesurrealfantasylighttrees

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering complex textures, creating atmospheric perspective, and understanding surrealist composition. It also offers practice in painting figures with drapery and subtle lighting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the perspective of the architectural elements and the figure's placement.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: the orange robe, the gray/brown architecture, and the skin tones.
step 03
Start building up the texture of the architectural elements using small, controlled brushstrokes.
step 04
Develop the drapery folds in the robe, focusing on the light and shadow patterns.
step 05
Paint the figure's face and hair, paying attention to the subtle details and expression.
step 06
Add the glowing effect around the figure using soft, blended brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the details of the floor tiles and the small objects held by the figure.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the depth and realism of the painting.

color palette

primary · orange · gray · brown · red

secondary · yellow · white · black · ochre

Achieve the warm orange tones by mixing red, yellow, and a touch of brown. The architectural grays can be created by mixing black, white, and a small amount of brown or blue. The glowing effect requires careful layering of light yellows and oranges.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·rendering drapery
·fine detail brushwork

common pitfalls

→Overworking the textures, resulting in a muddy or flat appearance.
→Failing to accurately capture the perspective of the architectural elements.
→Inconsistent lighting, which can disrupt the overall mood of the painting.
→Difficulty in rendering the subtle glow around the figure.

materials

surface · masonite panel

required

·Oil paints (orange, gray, brown, red, yellow, white, black, ochre)
·Canvas or masonite panel
·Assorted brushes (small round, flat)
·Palette
·Linseed oil or painting medium
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Rags
·Easel

optional

·palette knife
·retouch varnish
·medium gloss

Using a smooth surface like masonite will help achieve the fine details and textures in the painting. Consider using a glazing medium to enhance the transparency of the colors.

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