plate no. 8826

Full moon night on the quay

oil, panelRomanticismmarinamoonlightwaterboatsbuildingsnightfigures

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in creating atmospheric perspective and rendering light and shadow in a nocturnal scene. It also provides practice in depicting reflections on water and creating a sense of depth.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings, boats, and moon.
step 02
Establish the overall dark value of the painting with a thin wash of burnt umber and ultramarine blue.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the buildings and boats, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 04
Add the moon using a light yellow or cream color, and blend it softly into the surrounding sky.
step 05
Begin to build up the details of the buildings, including the windows and architectural features.
step 06
Paint the reflections of the moon and buildings on the water, using horizontal brushstrokes.
step 07
Add the figures in the boats and on the quay, using small, simple shapes.
step 08
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · raw sienna · ivory black

Mix burnt umber and ultramarine blue for the dark tones. Use yellow ochre and white for the moonlight and warm highlights. Add small amounts of raw sienna to warm up the browns.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·atmospheric perspective
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Making the dark tones too uniform and lacking depth.
→Failing to create a convincing sense of atmosphere.
→Not accurately capturing the reflections on the water.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·burnt umber oil paint
·ultramarine blue oil paint
·yellow ochre oil paint
·titanium white oil paint
·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·linseed oil
·palette

optional

·palette knife
·painting medium
·varnish

Use a canvas with a smooth surface to allow for blending and glazing. Consider using a toned canvas to help establish the overall value of the painting.

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