plate no. 6546

He Looked Up at the Broad Yellow Moon and Thought That She Looked at Him

Jessie Willcox Smith, 1916

charcoal, watercolor, oilRomanticismillustrationfiguremoonwaterleavesnightfoliage

some experience helpful

This painting offers practice in creating atmospheric perspective and rendering soft, diffused light. Students can learn to blend colors smoothly to achieve a dreamy, nocturnal effect.

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 figure, moon, and major leaf shapes.
step 02
Establish the background sky and water with thin washes of blue and gray, creating a gradient effect.
step 03
Block in the dark values of the leaves and foliage, paying attention to their overlapping forms.
step 04
Add the figure, starting with a light underpainting and gradually building up the skin tones and shadows.
step 05
Paint the moon with a soft, diffused glow, blending the edges to create a halo effect.
step 06
Refine the details of the leaves, adding subtle variations in color and texture.
step 07
Add highlights to the leaves and water to suggest reflected moonlight.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to enhance the overall atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · titanium white · ivory black

Mix blues and umbers for the cool tones of the night sky and foliage. Use yellow ochre and white for the moon's glow, and add burnt sienna for warmer tones in the figure and leaves.

techniques

·atmospheric perspective
·soft blending
·glazing
·dry brushing
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall atmospheric effect.
→Creating harsh lines and edges instead of soft transitions.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Using colors that are too saturated and not muted enough for a nocturnal scene.