plate no. 8567

Moon Dog

Rufino Tamayo, 1973

oilExpressionismanimal paintingdogmoonnightlandscapeskyanimal

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex forms and using expressive brushstrokes to create texture and mood. It also encourages experimentation with color mixing to achieve a vibrant yet cohesive palette.

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 dog, moon, and landscape on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the background with a base layer of blue paint, leaving some areas untouched for texture.
step 03
Add darker blues and blacks to the background to create depth and a night sky effect.
step 04
Paint the dog with a dark brown or black, adding highlights with a lighter brown or gold.
step 05
Define the dog's features, such as the eyes, teeth, and ears, with careful brushstrokes.
step 06
Paint the moon with white, adding subtle grays and blues to create a sense of volume.
step 07
Add the ground with a dark red-brown color.
step 08
Refine details and add final touches to enhance the overall composition.

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · Black · Titanium white

secondary · Burnt umber · Cadmium red

Mix Prussian blue with black to create the darker shades of the night sky. Use white to lighten the blue for highlights. Mix burnt umber and cadmium red for the ground.

techniques