plate no. 9190

The Harvest Moon

oilRomanticismlandscapemoontreesfieldfiguresharvestsky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as using broken color techniques to represent textures like foliage and fields. It also provides practice in depicting a nocturnal scene with a strong light source.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees, moon, and field.
step 02
Establish the overall warm color tone with a thin wash of burnt umber or raw sienna.
step 03
Block in the dark areas of the trees and foliage with darker browns and greens.
step 04
Begin layering lighter tones to create the highlights on the trees and field, using yellows, oranges, and creams.
step 05
Paint the moon with a soft glow, blending the edges into the surrounding sky.
step 06
Add details to the field, including the figures and haystacks, using small brushstrokes.
step 07
Create the stars with small dots of white or light yellow paint.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · yellow ochre

secondary · titanium white · cadmium yellow · sap green

Achieve the warm, golden tones by mixing burnt umber and raw sienna with yellow ochre and white. Darken the greens with burnt umber and lighten them with cadmium yellow.

techniques