plate no. 9657

The Summer

Paul Delvaux, 1938

oil, canvasSurrealismgenre paintingfigureslandscapetreesskyfencedrapery

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, drapery rendering, and creating atmospheric perspective in a landscape. It also provides practice in depicting complex compositions with multiple figures and elements.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures and landscape.
step 02
Block in the main color areas, starting with the sky and landscape, then the figures and fence.
step 03
Develop the values and forms of the figures, paying attention to light and shadow.
step 04
Add details to the drapery, creating folds and highlights to give it volume.
step 05
Refine the landscape, adding details to the trees, ground, and distant figures.
step 06
Work on the fence, capturing the texture and color variations of the wood.
step 07
Add the small mirror and the reflection.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors, values, and details to achieve a cohesive and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, ivory black, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and titanium white for the sky, adding small amounts of burnt umber to create subtle variations. Mix cadmium red with burnt umber and white for the red dress.

techniques

·figure drawing
·drapery rendering
·atmospheric perspective
·glazing
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the figures.
→Flat or lifeless drapery.
→Lack of depth in the landscape.
→Inconsistent lighting and shadows.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red, yellow ochre, ivory black)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife
·rags