plate no. 6627

Trace Of Salamander

Nina Tokhtaman Valetova, 2018

oilMagic Realismsymbolic paintingfiguresmountainsbirdslizardtablearchitecture

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, color mixing for skin tones, and creating surreal compositions. It also encourages experimentation with perspective and symbolic representation.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and architectural elements.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background and then moving to the figures and objects.
step 03
Begin refining the shapes and forms of the figures, paying attention to anatomy and proportions.
step 04
Mix and apply the skin tones, using a limited palette of reds, blues, and whites.
step 05
Add details to the architectural elements, such as the impossible triangle and the checkerboard floor.
step 06
Paint the smaller details, such as the birds, lizard, and flowers.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting colors and values as needed.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · red · blue · green

secondary · white · brown · gray

Mix various shades of red by adding white or brown. Achieve skin tones by blending red, blue, and white. Use complementary colors to create contrast and visual interest.

techniques