plate no. 0515
The Giantess
Leonora Carrington, 1950
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as practicing detailed brushwork for rendering complex forms like the birds and figures in the landscape.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the giantess and the horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas: the sky, the landscape, the giantess's robe and dress.
- step 03
Begin layering colors in the sky to create depth and atmospheric perspective.
- step 04
Add details to the landscape, including the trees, figures, and animals.
- step 05
Refine the giantess's robe, paying attention to the folds and shadows.
- step 06
Paint the birds, focusing on their shapes and movement.
- step 07
Add final details and highlights to the entire painting.
- step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and create a sense of depth.
color palette
primary · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium red · yellow ochre
secondary · viridian green · ultramarine blue
Mix burnt umber and white for the robe's highlights and shadows. Use yellow ochre and a touch of red for the hair. Mix ultramarine blue and burnt umber for the darker tones in the sky and landscape.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early
- →Not establishing a clear value structure
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing
- →Ignoring the atmospheric perspective
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·mineral spirits (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·retouch varnish
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Using a toned canvas (e.g., with a thin wash of burnt umber) can help establish a sense of depth and atmosphere from the beginning.
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