plate no. 9094

Boulevard des Batignolles

Pierre Bonnard, 1901

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismcityscapebuildingscityscapefiguresstreettreesshops

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing atmospheric perspective and simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and colors. It also provides practice in using loose brushwork to create a sense of movement and spontaneity.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes of the buildings and street layout.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, focusing on the overall value relationships.
step 03
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and architectural features.
step 04
Paint the figures and vehicles in the street, using simple shapes and colors.
step 05
Add the trees and other foliage, using loose brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 08
Review and make any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white · Prussian blue

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · ivory black

Mix various shades of gray and beige by combining white, yellow ochre, and raw umber. Use small amounts of blue or red to create cooler or warmer tones. Achieve the greens by mixing blue and yellow.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·alla prima
·simplified forms

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details
→Using too many colors
→Ignoring the value relationships
→Creating hard edges
→Not simplifying the forms

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints
·palette
·palette knife
·#4 round brush
·#8 flat brush
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits

optional

·painting medium
·easel
·rags
·varnish

Use a medium-textured canvas to allow for better paint adhesion and brushwork visibility. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.

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