plate no. 6596

The Lovers

Leonora Carrington, 1987

oilSurrealismsymbolic paintingfigurestentanimalsnight skysurrealsymbolic

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve muted tones and practice creating depth through atmospheric perspective. It also encourages exploration of surrealist symbolism and narrative.

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 figures and objects.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background tent and sky.
step 03
Establish the values of the figures, using dark tones for the hooded figures and lighter tones for the white robes.
step 04
Add details to the figures, including the faces, hands, and clothing folds.
step 05
Paint the animals and other objects in the foreground, paying attention to their shapes and textures.
step 06
Refine the colors and values throughout the painting, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the form of the objects and figures.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition and details.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium red · titanium white · purple

Achieve the tent's golden hue by mixing yellow ochre with a touch of burnt umber and white. Create the night sky by blending ultramarine blue with white and a hint of black. Muted tones are achieved by mixing complementary colors.

techniques