Mash, a boy living in Marseille, in the south of France, draws portraits every day to support his disabled father, Voss, but then an opportunity presents itself. A drawing contest is held for the city's citizens. If he wins, he will receive 10,000 francs and the chance to study at an art school in Paris.

At first, Mash gives up because he has no oil paints, brushes or other art supplies. However, with the help of his childhood friend, Sophie, he is able to acquire the tools he needs to deal with the problems that arise in his daily life. Just when he thinks he is on track to meet the deadline, his father, Voss, who is against him becoming a painter, tears up his paintings and throws them away.

There is only one day left until the deadline, and it seems that all is not well until Mash finds an extraordinary way to complete the painting. Will he be able to enter the competition with the work he painted in one day? And will he make it to Paris, the capital of art?