plate no. 3784

So Long Till Next Year

Grandma Moses, 1960

oilNaïve Art (Primitivism)genre paintingwinternighthousetreessantareindeer

suitable for beginners

Recreating this painting will help students practice layering techniques and simplified representation of forms. It's also a great exercise in creating a folk art style with visible brushstrokes.

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 house, trees, and landscape.
step 02
Block in the dark blue background, leaving space for the moon.
step 03
Paint the house with a base coat of gray, adding darker and lighter tones for dimension.
step 04
Add the white snow on the trees and ground using short, choppy brushstrokes.
step 05
Paint Santa and his reindeer with bright reds and browns.
step 06
Add the moon with a pale yellow, and the stars with small dabs of gold or yellow paint.
step 07
Refine details like windows, chimney, and tree branches.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to create depth and texture.

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · Titanium white · Burnt umber

secondary · Cadmium red · Yellow ochre · Payne's gray

Mix white with blue to create the sky. Use burnt umber and white for the house, adding touches of blue and gray for shadows. Mix yellow ochre and white for the moon.

techniques