plate no. 2592
Morning Sun
Edward Hopper, 1952
experienced study
Students would develop skills in figure painting, understanding light and shadow relationships, and creating atmospheric perspective through simplified forms and controlled color temperature.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition with simple geometric shapes for the room and figure
- step 02
Block in the major value shapes - dark blue-gray wall, light yellow wall, white bedding
- step 03
Establish the figure's basic form and position on the bed
- step 04
Paint the window frame and distant building with clean edges
- step 05
Develop the figure's anatomy and skin tones with warm flesh colors
- step 06
Add the red-orange garment with careful attention to how light affects the fabric
- step 07
Refine the light patterns streaming through the window
- step 08
Final details on facial features and subtle cast shadows
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow light · titanium white · burnt sienna
secondary · cadmium red · raw umber · cerulean blue · yellow ochre
Mix warm flesh tones with white, yellow ochre, and tiny amounts of red and burnt sienna. Cool shadows use ultramarine blue mixed with the base colors.
techniques
- ·Flat color application with minimal texture
- ·Hard edge painting for architectural elements
- ·Subtle color temperature shifts for form modeling
- ·Careful value control for dramatic lighting
- ·Clean brush technique for smooth transitions
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the brushstrokes - keep them clean and deliberate
- →Making the figure too detailed compared to Hopper's simplified approach
- →Losing the strong value contrasts that create the dramatic lighting
- →Adding unnecessary texture or detail to the flat wall surfaces
materials
surface · stretched canvas or canvas board
required
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·#2 flat brush
- ·#1 round detail brush
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·cadmium yellow light
- ·titanium white
- ·burnt sienna
- ·cadmium red
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
optional
- ·palette knife for mixing
- ·medium gloss varnish
- ·#10 flat brush for large areas
- ·painting medium for flow
Use a limited palette approach typical of Hopper's work. Keep brushes very clean for the hard-edge technique required.
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