plate no. 1349

Cagnes Landscape

Pierre Bonnard, 1916

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismlandscapelandscapetreeshouseshillsskyvegetation

some experience helpful

This painting helps students develop skills in impressionistic brushwork and color mixing to create a sense of light and atmosphere. It also encourages simplification of forms and capturing the overall impression of a scene.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the houses, hills, and trees.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color using thin washes, starting with the sky and ground.
step 03
Gradually build up layers of color, adding more detail and variation to the trees, hills, and houses.
step 04
Use short, broken brushstrokes to create texture and capture the impressionistic style.
step 05
Pay attention to the light and shadow, and use color to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 06
Mix colors directly on the canvas to achieve subtle variations and blends.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to bring the painting to life.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting.

color palette

primary · viridian green · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · titanium white

Mix greens by combining viridian green with yellow ochre or cadmium yellow. Create earth tones by mixing burnt sienna with ultramarine blue and white. Use white to lighten and soften colors.

techniques