plate no. 3535

The Congress

Paul Delvaux, 1941

oil, canvasSurrealismgenre paintingfiguresarchitectureinteriorcongressskylightlamps

experienced study

Recreating this painting would help students develop skills in rendering complex scenes with multiple figures, architectural perspective, and subtle tonal variations to create a sense of depth and atmosphere. It also requires careful observation of light and shadow to model forms accurately.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 40 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and perspective of the room.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and forms with thin washes of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Develop the architectural details, paying attention to the perspective of the walls, windows, and ceiling.
step 04
Begin to model the figures, starting with the larger forms and gradually adding details.
step 05
Carefully render the skin tones, using subtle variations in color and value to create a sense of volume.
step 06
Add the details of the clothing, hats, and other accessories.
step 07
Refine the lighting and shadows, paying attention to the way light interacts with the different surfaces.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · raw umber · ivory black · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining raw umber, ivory black, and titanium white. Use yellow ochre to add warmth to the skin tones and architectural elements. Create the red hat by mixing cadmium red with a touch of burnt sienna.

techniques