plate no. 1826
The Truth About Comets
Dorothea Tanning, 1945
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective, color mixing for muted tones, and rendering complex shapes like trees and figures in a surreal setting. It also encourages imaginative composition and storytelling through visual elements.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures, stairs, tree, and mountains.
- step 02
Establish the background sky with blended layers of gray and white, creating a sense of depth.
- step 03
Paint the distant mountains using cool grays and blues, gradually lightening the values as they recede.
- step 04
Block in the snow-covered ground with varying shades of white and gray, paying attention to the subtle shadows.
- step 05
Render the tree and stairs, focusing on the details of the branches and the snow accumulation.
- step 06
Paint the figures, paying attention to their proportions and the details of their clothing and tails.
- step 07
Add the comets with bright yellows and oranges, creating a sense of movement and light.
- step 08
Refine the details and add any final touches to enhance the overall atmosphere and surreal quality.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ivory black · raw umber · yellow ochre
secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue
Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors (e.g., a touch of red in green) and adding white or black to adjust the value. Use yellow ochre and raw umber to create the base for many of the earth tones.
techniques
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·dry brushing
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·blending
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall atmospheric effect.
- →Using colors that are too saturated and not blending them sufficiently.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure, resulting in a flat and uninteresting painting.
- →Inaccurate proportions of the figures and objects.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·mineral spirits or odorless thinner (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retarder medium
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a toned canvas (e.g., a light gray or raw umber) to help establish the overall value structure.
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