plate no. 1009

The Moon and the Poet

Stefan Caltia, 2003

oilMagic Realismsymbolic paintingfigurelandscapemoontreesskyclouds

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice blending techniques to create smooth gradients and develop skills in depicting atmospheric perspective. The painting also offers a good opportunity to study how to create a focal point through composition and color.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the horizon line, the figure's placement, and the main shapes of the trees and sky.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, creating a gradient from darker at the top to lighter near the horizon.
step 03
Add the cloud formations using a mix of browns and blues, blending them softly into the sky.
step 04
Paint the trees using various shades of green, creating depth by layering darker greens in the foreground and lighter greens in the background.
step 05
Paint the figure, starting with a light underpainting and gradually adding details and shadows.
step 06
Add the red wings and the bow, paying attention to their shapes and proportions.
step 07
Paint the transparent sphere under the figure, using subtle variations in tone to create the illusion of glass.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to the entire painting, refining the shapes and adding depth.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · sap green · titanium white · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre

Mix different shades of green by combining sap green with burnt umber and titanium white. Achieve the sky color by mixing cerulean blue with titanium white, and add a touch of burnt umber for the clouds.

techniques

·blending
·layering
·atmospheric perspective
·glazing
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the blending, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Failing to create a sense of depth in the landscape.
→Incorrectly proportioning the figure.
→Making the sphere appear opaque instead of transparent.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·acrylic paints (cerulean blue, sap green, titanium white, burnt umber, cadmium red, yellow ochre)
·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits