The artists we know as master colorists still balance their composition first, building up a need for their color accents, i.e. Degas, Gauguin, Redon, Toulouse Lautrec, and the Nabis. In other words, the composition one at first notices from their use of color is based on an already-established compelling composition.
Degas' art is made of a strong tone picture overlaid with a color picture. See, for example, "At the Theater".
In fact, Van Gogh and all the top colorists were tone artists in the beginning (as were all classically-trained artists at the time).
Les Nabis
Vuillard was a master of nuances of color. His color combinations actually start to vibrate. The way to get Vuillard's effect is to start with wash, then add dry colors.
Bonnard is special for the silvery quality of his color and light.
Bonnard doesn't repeat how he treats objects across picture.
Your blog is fantastic. I'm reading through it as you suggested from first blogs to recent one. I have a blog, too, and have been studying composition for my own sake and for anyone who might read it. I love the way you connect this to art history. Thank you
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