plate no. 7161

The Metamorphosis of the Lovers

Andre Masson, 1938

oilSurrealismsymbolic paintingfiguresflowerarchitecturelandscapewater liliessurreal

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle tonal variations and understanding surrealist composition principles.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and architectural elements.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of red and brown.
step 03
Block in the main color areas of the figures, using a limited palette of yellows, oranges, and browns.
step 04
Begin to define the forms of the figures with darker shadows and lighter highlights.
step 05
Add details to the flower and water lilies, paying attention to their unique shapes and colors.
step 06
Refine the architectural elements, adding cracks and textures to create a sense of age and decay.
step 07
Develop the background landscape with floating islands and a fiery sky.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · viridian green · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow

Achieve the fleshy tones by mixing yellow ochre, burnt umber, and titanium white. Use viridian green and ultramarine blue to create the cool tones in the water lilies and flower.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·color blending
·impasto
·layering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early
→Failing to establish a strong value structure
→Getting lost in the complexity of the composition
→Not capturing the surreal atmosphere

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 18x24
·Oil paints: yellow ochre, burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red, viridian green, ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags