plate no. 5427

Milky Way

Peter Doig, 1990

oilMagic Realismlandscapeskytreesreflectionwaternightstars

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and capturing reflections in water. It also encourages experimentation with pointillism to depict the Milky Way.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the horizon line and the placement of the trees.
step 02
Apply a base layer of dark blue and black for the sky and water, blending them slightly.
step 03
Paint the Milky Way using small dots of white and light gray, varying the density to create a cloud-like effect.
step 04
Add individual stars using a fine brush and white paint.
step 05
Paint the trees with varying shades of green and yellow, focusing on their basic shapes.
step 06
Create the reflections of the trees in the water, mirroring their shapes and colors but with a slightly blurred effect.
step 07
Add small dots of white to the water to represent reflected starlight.
step 08
Refine details and add highlights to the trees and Milky Way.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · black · white · yellow ochre

secondary · sap green · burnt umber · light gray

Mix various shades of green by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Create lighter shades of blue by adding white to ultramarine blue. Achieve the Milky Way effect by mixing white with a touch of light gray.

techniques