Surrealist art uses everyday objects with deep symbolism in the artworks.
Surrealism began as a literary movement in the early twentieth century and eventually expanded into the realm of visual art. In Surreal art, artists used everyday objects in a fantastical, bizarre and strange manner; dreaming and imagination also became popular themes for artists to focus upon. Creating your own Surreal art is possible but requires you to think differently than usual. Gather artistic inspiration from the objects around you and start creating your masterpiece.
Instructions
1. Research Surreal art before starting your picture. If you do not understand the basics of the movement, you will be unable to effectively create a Surrealist image. Use online or library sources to help further your knowledge. Many museums, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, have essays and image databases of Surrealist art on their websites.
2. Find a photo of Surrealist art to use as your inspiration. Do not copy the photo when you paint, but merely refer to it if you need to be reminded of the basics of Surrealism.
3. Sketch your Surreal design on a piece of paper. Remember to include thematic elements from a dream, your imagination or regular household objects, since these are commonly found in Surrealist artwork. Perfect all aspects of the design before you move to the canvas.
4. Lay out the design on the canvas. This will help you plan and will prevent any errors in the artistic process. Draw lightly so that your lines will be covered by the paint. Step back one to two feet from the canvas to see if anything needs to be altered before you begin painting.
5. Put your paints on the palette. Don't put too much paint on the palette because acrylic dries quickly. Only put the amount you need since you can always add more. Mix the colors, if desired.
6. Apply paint to the canvas. Remember to include bold colors, which are commonly found in Surrealist art. Refer back to your image if you need guidance. Clean the brush in the cup of water and dry it on the rag before using it with another color. Allow the paint to dry completely before adding a second layer.
