plate no. 0730

The wasted footsteps

Rene Magritte, 1950

oilSurrealismsymbolic paintingeaglemountainsskybirdsrockslandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective to depict distance.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the eagle, mountains, and foreground rocks, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Apply a thin wash of light blue for the sky, gradually darkening towards the horizon.
step 03
Block in the distant mountains with a mix of blues and purples, using lighter values for those further away.
step 04
Begin layering darker tones on the eagle and foreground rocks, building up texture with visible brushstrokes.
step 05
Add highlights to the eagle and rocks to create contrast and dimension.
step 06
Paint the small birds in the sky with simple, dark strokes.
step 07
Refine the details of the eagle's form and the texture of the rocks.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed to achieve the desired mood.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · purple · raw umber

Mix blues and whites for the sky, adding a touch of purple for the distant mountains. Create the eagle's dark tones by mixing black, umber, and small amounts of blue.

techniques