Surrealist Composition 

Grace Pailthorpe made this painting using oil on canvas, a standard combination for artists in her era. Pailthorpe built up the composition through layers of brushstrokes, varying the paint’s thickness. The visual effect reminds us of watercolor, with vibrant, translucent color and the suggestion of spontaneous gesture. While the effect may seem free, it is clear that each brushstroke was carefully considered. We might even say that the technique evokes automatic drawing, a key method for the Surrealists. The layering of paint and line allowed Pailthorpe to suggest a world teeming with strange life forms and psychic energy. It is important to understand the skill and labor involved in the painting process, so we can appreciate how Surrealism, though often seen as high art, draws inspiration from a rich history of creative practices.