plate no. 5029

The Gray Forest

Max Ernst, 1927

oilSurrealismlandscapelandscapetreesforestskymoonabstract

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop their understanding of texture creation using visible brushstrokes and explore abstract representation of natural forms. It also provides practice in color mixing to achieve subtle variations in tone.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the rock formations and the moon.
step 02
Apply a base layer of blue for the sky, blending it smoothly.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the rock formations with a dark brown or black.
step 04
Add layers of yellow and ochre to the rock formations, using short, visible brushstrokes to create texture.
step 05
Mix lighter shades of yellow and white to highlight the tops of the rocks.
step 06
Use a dry brush technique to add fine details and texture to the rocks.
step 07
Paint the moon with a flat white, ensuring a clean, circular shape.
step 08
Add final details and adjust colors as needed to match the original painting.

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · Yellow ochre · Titanium white

secondary · Burnt umber · Black

Mix Prussian blue with white to create the sky. Varying shades of yellow ochre and burnt umber are used for the rock formations. White is added to lighten the yellows for highlights.

techniques