plate no. 6150

Morning in Paris

Pierre Bonnard, 1911

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismgenre paintingcityscapefiguresstreetbuildingscarriagesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing, layering, and capturing atmospheric perspective. It also encourages simplification of complex scenes into basic shapes and colors.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of buildings, figures, and the carriage.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by blocking in large areas of color, starting with the sky and buildings.
step 03
Layer in the mid-tones and shadows, paying attention to the light source and how it affects the scene.
step 04
Add details to the figures and carriage, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture and movement.
step 05
Refine the colors and values, blending where necessary to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 06
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.
step 07
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making any necessary adjustments.
step 08
Allow the painting to dry completely and then varnish for protection.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · raw umber

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and using white to lighten the values. The sky is a mix of white, blue, and a touch of red. The buildings use yellow ochre mixed with white and small amounts of other colors.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·layering
·color mixing
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing
→Ignoring the overall color harmony
→Failing to establish a clear light source

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, burnt sienna, titanium white, cadmium red, viridian green, raw umber)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags