plate no. 9247

Zodíaco Titi

Xul Solar, 1949

oilSurrealismsymbolic paintingfiguresmountainsstairsbuildingsskysymbolic

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in perspective, figure drawing, and creating a surreal atmosphere through color and composition. It also encourages experimentation with symbolic representation.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountains and buildings, focusing on the overall composition.
step 02
Lightly sketch the figures and their positions on the stairs and within the landscape.
step 03
Apply a base layer of color to the mountains, using a mix of browns, oranges, and purples.
step 04
Add details to the buildings, including windows and architectural features.
step 05
Paint the figures, paying attention to their clothing and facial expressions.
step 06
Create the halos around the figures using light blues and whites.
step 07
Add details to the stairs, ensuring they recede into the distance.
step 08
Refine the colors and details, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · raw umber · titanium white · cerulean blue

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

Mix browns and oranges for the mountains, adding white to lighten the tones. Use blues and whites for the halos. Mix greens from blues and yellows for the umbrella.

techniques