The artists of surrealism often used the images they saw in their dreams as a source of inspiration.
The surrealist movement has never been very strictly defined, which is the reason why during that era, artists didn't feel that they should limit themselves with techniques, objects or inspirations. The movement, which peaked in the decade between 1920 and 1930, and its representatives are still praised by a wide audience today. Similarly, the impacts of surrealism are still visible in today's modern culture.
Instructions
1. Study the paintings and techniques of your favorite surrealist artists. This will help you understand what surrealism is about, and how the artists of the movement communicated their emotions and feeling through their work.
2. Develop a unique way of looking at objects. Remind yourself that everything is allowed in your painting; there are no limitations to what you can do. Think about all the ways you could visually alter the world around you, and don't edit yourself.
3. Decide on a technique. Surrealists used many different techniques in their work, such as collage, bulletism, the cut-up technique, and decalcomania, to name only a few. Pick a technique you feel most comfortably working in, and then get the necessary equipment.
4. Pick an object. Establish a dream journal, in which you write down all your dreams. If you want to create a surreal painting, you need to find a way of painting objects from real life, but in situations or positions that are not possible in reality.