plate no. 9673

January Full Moon

George Ault, 1941

oilPrecisionismlandscapebarnsnownightcloudslandscapebuilding

suitable for beginners

This painting is great for learning about value relationships and creating a sense of depth using subtle color shifts. Students will practice simplifying complex forms into basic shapes and using smooth blending techniques.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the barn, ground, and clouds, paying attention to proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the dark background sky with a deep blue, ensuring even coverage.
step 03
Apply a base coat of white to the areas covered in snow, including the roof and ground.
step 04
Mix a light gray color and begin adding shadows to the snow, creating the impression of drifts and texture.
step 05
Paint the barn with a dark brown or black, leaving some areas slightly lighter to suggest form.
step 06
Add subtle highlights to the roof and sides of the barn to define the edges and catch the moonlight.
step 07
Mix a light blue-gray color and paint the clouds, blending the edges to create a soft, diffused effect.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values as needed to achieve the desired level of contrast and realism.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · burnt umber

secondary · payne's gray · raw umber

Mix the snow shadows by adding a touch of blue or brown to white. Create the dark barn color by mixing burnt umber and a touch of blue or black. The clouds are a mix of white and a small amount of blue.

techniques