plate no. 5700
Zodíaco
Xul Solar, 1949
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as practicing stylized figure drawing and architectural rendering.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountains and architectural elements, paying attention to the composition.
- step 02
Lightly sketch the placement of the figures and faces within the landscape.
- step 03
Apply a base layer of diluted warm colors (yellow ochre, burnt sienna) to the mountains and buildings.
- step 04
Begin layering in darker tones to create shadows and define the forms.
- step 05
Paint the sky with soft, blended colors, gradually transitioning from light to dark.
- step 06
Add details to the figures and faces, focusing on their unique expressions and features.
- step 07
Define the architectural elements with sharper lines and darker shadows.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to create depth and visual interest.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue
secondary · cadmium red · titanium white · violet
Mix various shades of brown and ochre by combining yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of ultramarine blue. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Violet can be created by mixing red and blue.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·blending
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Ignoring the overall composition and focusing too much on individual elements.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic paints (yellow ochre, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, cadmium red, titanium white)
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·water container
- ·paper towels
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·retarder medium
- ·varnish
Use high-quality acrylic paints for best results. Consider using a retarder medium to slow down the drying time of the acrylics, allowing for more blending.
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