plate no. 8013

Still LIfe with Lemons

Pierre Bonnard, 1918

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismstill lifelemonsstill lifewindowcurtaintablefruit

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing, layering, and capturing the impressionistic style with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in depicting light and shadow on rounded forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, paying attention to the placement of the lemons, window, and curtain.
step 02
Block in the main color areas using thin washes of color, focusing on the overall color harmony.
step 03
Start building up layers of color on the lemons, using variations of yellow, orange, and white to create form and depth.
step 04
Add details to the window and curtain, using short, broken brushstrokes to capture the light and texture.
step 05
Work on the background, blending colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 06
Refine the details of the lemons, adding highlights and shadows to create a sense of realism.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and contrast to achieve the desired effect.
step 08
Add final touches and details, such as the highlights on the lemons and the texture of the curtain.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · cadmium yellow · lemon yellow · white

secondary · sap green · burnt umber · ultramarine blue

Achieve the lemon colors by mixing various yellows with white and small amounts of orange. Use green and blue to create the background and shadows.

techniques

·broken color
·layering
·scumbling
·color mixing
·impressionistic brushwork

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them.
→Not paying attention to the overall color harmony.
→Creating harsh lines and edges instead of soft transitions.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·Oil paints (yellow ochre, cadmium yellow, lemon yellow, white, sap green, burnt umber, ultramarine blue)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags