plate no. 9707
Phases of the Moon
Paul Delvaux, 1939
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures in various lighting conditions and creating a surreal atmosphere through careful color choices and composition. It also provides practice in depicting architectural details and landscape elements.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main shapes and composition, paying attention to perspective.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a gradient of blues and purples, blending smoothly.
- step 03
Establish the basic shapes of the buildings and mountains, using muted earth tones.
- step 04
Paint the figures, starting with the underpainting and gradually building up the skin tones and details.
- step 05
Add the architectural details, such as the railing and the tiled floor, using precise brushstrokes.
- step 06
Refine the landscape elements, including the trees and the distant figures.
- step 07
Paint the red bow with attention to folds and highlights.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to create depth and realism.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red
secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black · sap green
Mix various shades of blue and purple for the sky. Use burnt umber and white for the buildings and mountains, adding touches of yellow ochre for warmth. Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, and a touch of umber.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·figure drawing
- ·linear perspective
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions of figures
- →Overly saturated colors
- →Lack of depth in the landscape
- →Inaccurate perspective
- →Uneven blending in the sky
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to create a more unified color palette.
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