plate no. 1953

The Juggler

Remedios Varo, 1956

oilSurrealismsymbolic paintingfiguresbuildingscartmagictownnight

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures in perspective and creating a surreal atmosphere through color and composition. It also encourages careful observation of details and textures.

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 buildings, figures, and the cart.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and vanishing points to guide perspective.
step 03
Block in the main color areas for the sky, buildings, and figures using thin washes.
step 04
Develop the details of the buildings, adding windows, arches, and variations in color.
step 05
Refine the figures, paying attention to the folds of their robes and the subtle variations in their faces.
step 06
Paint the cart and the juggler, focusing on the details of the cart's structure and the juggler's costume.
step 07
Add the magical elements, such as the glowing orbs and the birds, using brighter colors.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · gray · red · green · tan

secondary · blue · yellow · white

Mix various shades of gray by combining black and white with small amounts of blue or brown. Achieve the red by mixing a crimson or scarlet with a touch of orange. The green is a muted olive, achieved by mixing yellow and blue with a touch of brown.

techniques