plate no. 9639

Landscape of the Moon's First Quarter

Paul Nash, 1943

oilExpressionismlandscapelandscapetreesmoonmountainsskyfoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors and creating texture with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

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 landscape, including the horizon line, mountains, trees, and moon.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, gradually adding subtle variations in tone.
step 03
Establish the general color and value ranges for the mountains and distant foliage.
step 04
Paint the trees, focusing on their verticality and using varied brushstrokes to suggest texture.
step 05
Add the foreground elements, such as the bushes and ground, using a mix of warm and cool tones.
step 06
Define the shapes of the moon and add subtle shading to create depth.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall composition.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · titanium white · sap green

Mix ultramarine with white for the sky. Use raw umber and burnt sienna for the earth tones, and add yellow ochre for highlights. Mix sap green with raw umber to create muted greens.

techniques