plate no. 3917

Underwater life

oilSurrealismsymbolic paintingtreeswaterfallarchitecturegardenlandscapesky

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering complex textures and understanding surrealist composition. It will also improve their ability to create depth and atmosphere with color and value.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a rough sketch of the overall composition, focusing on the placement of the floating island, waterfall, and garden.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the sky, land, and water, establishing the overall value structure.
step 03
Develop the textures of the trees and foliage on the floating island, using layers of greens, browns, and yellows.
step 04
Paint the architectural elements, paying attention to the details of the buildings and structures.
step 05
Render the waterfall, using a combination of light and dark blues and whites to create the illusion of movement.
step 06
Add details to the garden, including the plants, flowers, and stone pathways.
step 07
Refine the details throughout the painting, adjusting colors and values as needed to create a cohesive and surreal atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · viridian green · cerulean blue · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow

Achieve the various greens by mixing viridian green with yellow ochre and titanium white. Create the earthy tones by mixing raw umber with burnt sienna and small amounts of blue or green.

techniques