plate no. 0800

The Expectation

Richard Oelze, 1936

oil, canvasSurrealismsymbolic paintingfigureslandscapeskycloudstreescrowd

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective, color mixing to create subtle tonal variations, and rendering figures in a stylized manner.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the horizon line.
step 02
Establish the dark background sky with broad strokes, blending the colors to create a cloudy effect.
step 03
Block in the general shapes of the figures with a light, neutral color.
step 04
Add details to the figures, such as hats and clothing, using subtle variations in tone.
step 05
Paint the landscape elements, including the trees and foliage, using a similar muted palette.
step 06
Refine the details of the figures and landscape, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
step 07
Add highlights to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the colors and create a cohesive atmosphere.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · ivory black

secondary · titanium white · sap green · burnt sienna

Achieve the muted tones by mixing the primary colors with white and small amounts of the secondary colors. Use thin glazes to build up depth and create subtle color variations.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·tonal painting
·blending

common pitfalls

→overworking the details
→using colors that are too bright or saturated
→failing to establish a strong tonal foundation
→ignoring the subtle shifts in value

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints (yellow ochre, raw umber, ivory black, titanium white, sap green, burnt sienna)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette knife

optional