plate no. 7991

The Cortege

Paul Delvaux, 1963

oilSurrealismgenre paintingfigureslandscapebuildingstreesnighttrain

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, atmospheric perspective, and creating a surreal mood through color and composition. Students will also learn to simplify complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and landscape elements.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and ground.
step 03
Add details to the buildings and trees, paying attention to the perspective.
step 04
Begin painting the figures, starting with the skin tones and then adding the drapery.
step 05
Refine the details of the faces and hands, using small brushes.
step 06
Add the highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Paint the lamps and the light they emit, creating a focal point.
step 08
Review and refine the entire painting, making sure all the elements work together.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · raw sienna

Mix ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create the dark blues and grays of the night sky. Use white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Mix yellow ochre and raw sienna to create the warm tones of the ground.

techniques