MANUAL DE ARTE

SURREALISTA

Disciplinas: Artes e Língua Estrangeira

Professores: Fabiene Passamani e Guilherme Póvoa

Grupo: Bernardo, Gabriel Vaz, Lucas Cola e Miguel

Introduction to Surrealism

Surrealism is an artistic and literary movement that emerged in Europe in the 1920s, led by
the poet André Breton. This movement sought to express the workings of the unconscious
mind, freeing it from the restrictions of logic, morality, and social conventions. Inspired by the
psychoanalytic theories of Sigmund Freud, Surrealists believed that true art emerges from
the subconscious and dreams, where the human mind is free to explore its deepest
emotions and desires.

Key Characteristics of Surrealism:

● Exploration of the unconscious and dream states.

● Illogical images and scenes, often with unusual juxtapositions.
● Use of dream-like symbols to express deep emotions and complex ideas.
● Realistic figures placed in absurd and impossible contexts, creating a sense of
strangeness.

Artists and Reference Works:

● Salvador Dalí
Work: The Persistence of Memory (1931) - Picture 1
Description: This painting depicts melting clocks in a desert landscape, symbolizing
the distorted nature of time and the experience of the unconscious.
Image Source: Available at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.
● René Magritte
Work: The Son of Man (1964) - Picture 2
Description: This painting shows a man with his face obscured by a green apple,
symbolizing the concealment of identity and mystery.
Image Source: Available in online art collections, including the San Francisco
Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA).
● Max Ernst
Work: The Elephant Celebes (1921) - Picture 3
Description: This painting presents a surreal figure resembling a mechanical
elephant, blending machine and living creature.
Image Source: Available at the Tate Modern collection in London.

This introduction sets the stage for understanding the unique characteristics of Surrealism
and its inspiration in the unconscious. The mentioned works and artists will serve as visual
references throughout this guide, helping readers create their own surrealist artwork.

Picture 1 Picture 2 Picture 3

Creating Surrealist Art: Step-by-Step Guide

Surrealist art is all about freeing the mind from traditional constraints and exploring the
subconscious. Follow these steps to create a surrealist piece that reflects the core themes of
this movement.

Materials Needed:

● Oil paints or acrylics

● Brushes of various sizes
● Canvas or A4 paper
● Magazines (for collage elements, if desired)
● Pencil for sketching
● Camera or smartphone (to document progress)

Step 1: Automatic Drawing

Begin with a technique called automatism, which is about letting your hand move freely
without conscious control. This allows the subconscious to take charge, creating unexpected
shapes and forms.

1. Relax and clear your mind.

2. Start making lines and shapes on your canvas without thinking too much about them.
3. Let the forms emerge naturally, without judgment or corrections.

Step 2: Incorporate Dream-Like Symbols

Once you have a base from the automatic drawing, start adding elements that feel like they
belong in a dream. Think about symbols or objects that seem surreal or fantastical.

● Examples of Dream Symbols: Melting clocks, floating objects, unusual landscapes,

or objects in strange locations.
● Try blending natural elements (like plants or animals) with man-made objects to
create surreal combinations.

Step 3: Use Juxtaposition and Absurdity

Surrealist art often places everyday objects in unusual or absurd settings to create a sense
of mystery and surprise.

1. Choose a realistic object, such as a chair or a clock.

2. Place it in a setting where it wouldn’t logically belong, like floating in the sky or
submerged underwater.
3. Experiment with size and scale. For example, a tiny person standing next to a
massive teacup can convey a dream-like effect.
Step 4: Add Personal Symbols

Consider including elements that hold personal meaning to you, as Surrealism often reflects
the artist’s inner emotions and subconscious.

● Think about memories, places, or objects that evoke strong emotions.

● Blend these personal symbols with surreal elements, making the artwork a reflection
of your inner thoughts and dreams.

Advanced Techniques in Surrealist Composition

Surrealist art often combines unexpected elements and uses visual effects to evoke a
dreamlike atmosphere. In this section, we’ll explore techniques that will add depth and
intrigue to your artwork.

Step 5: Experiment with Scale and Proportion

Playing with scale and proportion is a powerful way to create surreal effects.

● Exaggerate Sizes: Create a surreal feeling by making everyday objects unusually

large or small in comparison to other elements.
○ Example: A tiny human figure standing next to a massive flower or a towering
clock in the background.
● Distort Proportions: Stretch or compress objects to create an unnatural feel.
○ Example: Stretching a person's limbs or elongating animal figures.

Step 6: Use Transparency and Layers

Layering elements and making certain objects transparent can create an ethereal effect.

● Overlay Images: Stack or overlay elements to suggest depth and complexity.

● Transparency: Use semi-transparent layers to create a ghostly effect, suggesting
that some elements are only partially in reality.
○ Example: Paint a transparent figure or object floating within the scene.

Step 7: Add Contrasting Textures

Surrealist art often juxtaposes smooth and rough textures to add a tactile element to the
visual experience.

● Rough and Smooth: Combine areas of detailed texture (like fur or wood grain) with
smooth, glossy surfaces to create visual interest.
○ Example: A highly detailed tree next to a smooth, reflective lake, or a textured
stone against a cloudy sky.
● Unexpected Materials: Incorporate textures that don’t typically match the object.
○ Example: A clock with a surface that looks like fur, or a soft, fabric-like rock.
Step 8: Create an Unreal Atmosphere with Light and Shadow

Manipulating light and shadow can enhance the dreamlike quality of your piece.

● Surreal Shadows: Cast shadows that don’t match the object’s shape or size.
○ Example: A small chair casting a large, ominous shadow, or a person casting
the shadow of an animal.
● Unusual Lighting: Use unexpected light sources, like a glowing object in the sky, to
make the scene feel otherworldly.

Suggested Artists and Works for Inspiration:

1. "Time Transfixed" - René Magritte - Picture 4

○ This piece uses unexpected placement and shadows to create a mysterious
scene.
○ Available at the Art Institute of Chicago.
2. "Swans Reflecting Elephants" - Salvador Dalí - Picture 5
○ Dalí uses reflections to merge animals and shapes, playing with light and
shadow to achieve a surreal effect.
○ Available at the Salvador Dalí Museum, St. Petersburg, Florida.

These techniques help bring a surrealist artwork to life by adding complexity and visual
intrigue. Experiment with these methods to deepen the dreamlike essence of your piece.

Picture 4 Picture 5

Practical Examples and Reflections

In this section, we’ll look at how each technique we've explored can be combined to create a
cohesive surrealist artwork. After working through these examples, reflect on how the
elements you chose express the themes of Surrealism

.
Example 1: Dreamscape Composition

Create a scene that combines elements from dreams with everyday reality. Think of a
landscape that doesn’t follow the usual rules of perspective or logic.

● Imagery: Imagine a desert with floating objects, like fish or teacups, scattered across
the sand.
● Techniques Used:
○ Scale and Proportion: Enlarge some objects, like a gigantic teacup in the
middle of the desert.
○ Transparency: Make some objects semi-transparent, like a ghostly tree in the
background.

Example 2: Personal Symbols and Juxtaposition

Combine symbols that have personal significance with objects in unusual contexts to create
a deeper connection to the work.

● Imagery: A clock that blends into the face of a loved one or a landscape filled with
objects that represent memories.
● Techniques Used:
○ Juxtaposition: Place a personal object in an unexpected environment, like a
family photograph in the sky.
○ Unreal Atmosphere: Use unusual lighting to give the scene a twilight or
dreamlike quality.

Example 3: Surreal Portrait

Create a portrait where the features or surroundings are distorted in a surreal way.

● Imagery: A person’s face morphing into natural elements, like flowers or water.
● Techniques Used:
○ Contrasting Textures: Make parts of the face smooth while other parts, like
hair, have rough, natural textures.
○ Unreal Shadows: Cast an unusual shadow, like the outline of an animal, to
give an otherworldly touch.

Reflection

After completing each piece, take a moment to reflect on how these elements represent the
essence of Surrealism.

● Personal Symbolism: How do the symbols and images relate to your inner thoughts
or emotions?
● Dreamlike Quality: Does the artwork feel like a scene from a dream? How does it
defy logic or reality?
● Emotion and Interpretation: What kind of mood does the artwork convey? How
might viewers interpret it differently based on their own subconscious?
These reflections will help you understand the surrealist process, enhancing your ability to
communicate the themes of the movement through your own art.

Final Thoughts on Surrealism

Surrealism is more than an artistic style; it is a journey into the subconscious mind, an
exploration of dreams, and an expression of hidden emotions. By using techniques that defy
logic—such as unexpected juxtapositions, unusual proportions, and personal
symbolism—surrealist artists invite viewers to question reality and explore the limits of
imagination.

As you create your surrealist artwork, remember that the primary goal is to express your
innermost thoughts and emotions without constraint. The true spirit of Surrealism lies in
allowing yourself the freedom to explore, dream, and create with an open mind. Each choice
of imagery, every strange combination, and each surreal detail contributes to a work that is
uniquely yours and deeply reflective of the movement’s essence.

References

1. Salvador Dalí
○ The Persistence of Memory (1931)
Available at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York.
2. René Magritte
○ The Son of Man (1964)
Available at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA).
3. Max Ernst
○ The Elephant Celebes (1921)
Available at the Tate Modern, London.
4. René Magritte
○ Time Transfixed
Available at the Art Institute of Chicago.
5. Salvador Dalí
○ Swans Reflecting Elephants
Available at the Salvador Dalí Museum, St. Petersburg, Florida.

Additional Research Sources

● YouTube Lectures and Documentaries:

○ The Art of Surrealism - How Salvador Dalí, René Magritte and Max Ernst
Helped Shape a Movement (Channel: The Art Assignment)
A well-regarded video exploring the main themes and artists of Surrealism.
 ○ Understanding Surrealism: From Dada to Dalí (Channel: Smarthistory)
This video gives a comprehensive overview of Surrealism, exploring its
origins, techniques, and major figures.
● Reliable Websites:
○ Tate Modern’s Website (www.tate.org.uk)
Offers detailed information about surrealist works in their collection, including
artists’ biographies and historical context.
○ The Art Story (www.theartstory.org)
Provides artist biographies, movement timelines, and analysis of various art
movements, including Surrealism.
○ Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)

Wikipedia offers accessible overviews on artists, artworks, and the Surrealist

movement itself. Useful as a starting point for research, though it’s best to
verify information with academic sources.