plate no. 4915

Tribute to Jules Verne

Paul Delvaux, 1971

oil, canvasSurrealismgenre paintingfiguresarchitectureseaskycolumnsclothing

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, perspective, and creating a surreal atmosphere through color and composition. Students can also practice rendering realistic textures and details in clothing and architecture.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the perspective of the colonnade and the placement of the figures.
step 02
Block in the large shapes of the buildings, sky, and sea with diluted washes of color.
step 03
Establish the basic skin tones of the figures, paying attention to the subtle variations in light and shadow.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, focusing on the folds and textures.
step 05
Paint the architectural elements, including the columns, roof structure, and tiled floor, using precise lines and accurate perspective.
step 06
Add the details of the background elements, such as the ship and the palm tree.
step 07
Refine the details of the figures' faces and hands, paying attention to the expressions and gestures.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red · burnt umber · sap green

Mix various shades of gray and blue for the sky and sea. Use yellow ochre and white for the skin tones, adding small amounts of red or umber for warmth. Create the dark tones by mixing ivory black and burnt umber.

techniques