plate no. 3487

Untitled

Gunther Gerzso, 1941

oilSurrealismsymbolic paintingfigurelandscapeinteriordraperypedestalsky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice layering techniques and color mixing to achieve subtle variations in tone. Students will also develop skills in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure, pedestal, and background elements.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background sky and landscape.
step 03
Add the base color for the figure and the pedestal.
step 04
Begin layering in darker and lighter tones to create form and dimension.
step 05
Refine the details of the figure's drapery and the pedestal's shape.
step 06
Add details to the background landscape and sky, including the moon.
step 07
Paint the interior elements on the left and the floor.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · raw sienna

Mix white with small amounts of other colors to create the various shades of white in the figure. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create the dark tones in the background. Mix cadmium yellow, alizarin crimson, and white to achieve the pinkish hues.

techniques