plate no. 0091
The Cage
Berthe Morisot, 1885
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose brushwork, color mixing for subtle variations, and capturing the impressionistic style. It also provides practice in rendering transparent and reflective surfaces.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the birdcage, bird, flowers, and teacup, focusing on proportions and placement.
- step 02
Establish the background with broad, loose strokes of muted colors.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of the birdcage, using a mix of browns, oranges, and yellows.
- step 04
Add the bird, using soft, blended strokes to create its form and texture.
- step 05
Paint the flowers and teacup, focusing on capturing their colors and shapes with expressive brushstrokes.
- step 06
Refine the details of the birdcage, adding the bars and other structural elements with thin, precise lines.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Review and adjust the painting, paying attention to the overall balance and harmony.
color palette
primary · burnt sienna · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium yellow
secondary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · viridian
Achieve the warm browns of the birdcage by mixing burnt sienna, raw umber, and a touch of cadmium yellow. Create the soft pinks of the bird by mixing alizarin crimson and titanium white. Muted greens are achieved by mixing viridian with raw umber and white.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·scumbling
- ·alla prima
- ·implied detail
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
- →Using colors that are too saturated and not capturing the subtle variations.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Getting lost in the complexity of the birdcage structure.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
- ·oil paints (burnt sienna, raw umber, titanium white, cadmium yellow, ultramarine blue, alizarin crimson, viridian)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·varnish
Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for good paint adhesion and texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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