plate no. 0602

View of the Isaac Cathedral at Moonlight Night

oil, canvasRealismcityscapecathedralwatermoonlightcityscapeboatsky

some experience helpful

This painting is great for learning about atmospheric perspective and how to create depth using value and color. It also provides practice in capturing reflections and subtle gradations in the sky.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Prepare a toned canvas with a mid-tone gray or blue.
step 02
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the cathedral, the buildings, the water line, and the moon's position.
step 03
Block in the dark areas of the buildings and trees using a dark mix of blue, brown, and black.
step 04
Establish the sky with a gradient of blues, grays, and yellows around the moon, blending carefully.
step 05
Paint the water, reflecting the colors of the sky and buildings, using horizontal strokes.
step 06
Add the highlights on the water and the cathedral dome, using lighter yellows and greens.
step 07
Paint the boat and figures, keeping them dark and silhouetted.
step 08
Refine details and adjust values to create depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Yellow Ochre · Burnt Umber · Titanium White

secondary · Sap Green · Payne's Gray

Mix Prussian Blue and Burnt Umber for the dark building tones. Use Yellow Ochre and Titanium White for the moon glow. Mix Prussian Blue and Titanium White for the sky, adding a touch of Yellow Ochre near the moon.

techniques

·Atmospheric perspective
·Glazing
·Scumbling
·Blending
·Reflections

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early.
→Making the highlights too bright and losing the overall mood.
→Not creating enough contrast between the dark and light areas.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the sky and water.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·Oil paints (Prussian Blue, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Umber, Titanium White, Payne's Gray, Sap Green)
·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags