plate no. 5036

The Spanish Physician

Max Ernst, 1940

oilSurrealismsymbolic paintingfiguresred cloakarrowsinteriorsurrealportrait

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering complex textures and understanding surrealist composition. It also provides practice in figure drawing and creating a sense of depth through color and value.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch of the main figures and objects, paying attention to proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the red cloak and the background.
step 03
Develop the skin tones of the figures, using subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Add details to the red cloak, creating texture and depth with short, broken brushstrokes.
step 05
Paint the green figure and the bird-like figure, focusing on their unique forms and textures.
step 06
Refine the background and the details of the interior, such as the checkered floor and the painting on the wall.
step 07
Add the arrows and other small details, paying attention to their placement and perspective.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a cohesive and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · red · flesh tones · green

secondary · black · brown · blue · grey

Achieve the red cloak color by mixing a deep red with touches of brown and black. Create the flesh tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Mix various shades of green by combining blue, yellow, and black.

techniques