plate no. 6940
Moonrise
David Davies, 1894
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and creating subtle value shifts to depict light and shadow in a muted color palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the horizon line and the path leading into the field.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light gray, blending smoothly.
- step 03
Establish the basic tones of the field using a mid-tone brown.
- step 04
Add darker values to the foreground to create depth.
- step 05
Paint the moon with a soft, diffused glow.
- step 06
Add details such as the trees and bushes, keeping them soft and indistinct.
- step 07
Refine the path with lighter values to suggest light.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · payne's gray
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna
Mix raw umber and white for the base tones of the field. Add a touch of yellow ochre for warmth. Use Payne's gray and white for the sky, and a touch of burnt sienna for the horizon glow.
techniques
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·blending
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details
- →Creating too much contrast
- →Using colors that are too saturated
- →Ignoring atmospheric perspective
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·payne's gray oil paint
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a canvas with a smooth texture for easier blending. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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