plate no. 5839
The Moon
Tarsila do Amaral, 1928
suitable for beginners
This painting provides a good exercise in simplifying forms and creating smooth gradients. Students can learn about color mixing to achieve the subtle variations in the sky and ground.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 7 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes: horizon line, river curve, cloud formations, and figure.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: dark blue sky, green ground, light blue river, and white clouds.
- step 03
Add the moon with a bright yellow.
- step 04
Blend the colors within each area to create smooth transitions, especially in the sky and ground.
- step 05
Refine the shapes of the clouds and the figure.
- step 06
Add darker values to the sky and ground to create depth.
- step 07
Check for overall balance and make any necessary adjustments.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · viridian green · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · cerulean blue
Mix ultramarine blue with white for the lighter areas of the sky. Mix viridian green with a touch of blue and white for the ground. Use yellow ochre straight from the tube for the moon.
techniques
- ·flat color application
- ·smooth blending
- ·color mixing
- ·simplification of form
common pitfalls
- →over-blending and losing color variation
- →making the colors too saturated
- →not simplifying the forms enough
- →uneven color application
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·#2 round brush
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oils)
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a smooth canvas for easier blending. Acrylics will dry faster, while oils allow for more blending time.
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