The Astronomer’s Orrery

A brass orrery, a model of the sun and planets, stands on a desk. Old books, blue velvet and a star map sit around it. Through the window, a full moon shines over mountains and a lake. Try it when you want a longer painting with lots of detail. Your paint isn't kept inside the lines here, so go slowly near the edges.

How to paint it

1. Choose Watercolour for a soft look or Oil for a bolder one. Zoom in and use a small brush near the edges. If paint goes over a line, tap Undo.
2. Paint the moon cream and the night sky dark blue. Paint the mountains and lake soft blue.
3. Make the brush big and paint the stone wall light beige. Paint the desk brown, with Darker for the wood grain.
4. Paint the books red, blue and brown, and the star map cream. Paint the velvet blue, then add the deep folds with Darker.
5. Paint the orrery and sun gold, then add the shade with Darker. Paint the base band blue and each planet its own colour.
6. Paint the ivy green. Add the map lines and the magnifier handle with the Pencil. Dab a few stars and town lights with Gouache in pale cream.