THE TREE OF IMPRESSIONISM
Often, I am asked to share my thoughts about the different schools of art, which artist influenced other artists, who studied with, or who preceded who. Not an easy task to take on during a weekend workshop.

Capturing a visual overview of the interconnectedness and of...

THE ROOTS OF IMPRESSIONISM - THE ACADEMY
• Delacroix (Romanticism - considered one of the last old Master painters along with Ingres, his was muralists with expressive brushstrokes and unique use of color based upon the color theory of that time, which influenced the Impressionists).
o Notes: He...

• Manet (a pivotal figure in the movement from Realism to Impressionism, first to paint modern life, was influenced by Courbet).
Notes: Journaling and Still Life. The science and poetry the junctures at the place in the journal.
• Journaling is for what it is, why it appears, intuitions, etc. A...

• • Renoir(Noted for painting female figures and the beauty of daily life).

• Notes: Renoir believed a picture should be pleasant and pretty. I believe it should be beautiful, and he was, for beauty is transcendent; it demands a response. What does your invoice say about the work? To work is to...

• Cassatt (An ex-pat lived in France, befriended Degas and the Impressionists, figurative subjects, one of the 3 great women of Impressionism – along with Bracquemond and Morisot).
• She had a passion for rhythmic line as structure holding fields of choreographic patches of color. A master who m...

• Twachtman (studied in Munich and Paris, known for tonalist style scenes of landscapes, personal and experimental, co-founder of the Ten, worked at Cos Cob Art Colony).
o An impressionist for all seasons, work was tonalitic with a dreamy mood as if thought poems within a narrative of the landsca...

• Van Gogh (A post-impressionist known for highly intensive emotion, color and movement, became known as the father of Expressionism).
o Notes: van Gogh wrote much about dreaming and awareness. He understood the night the stars, the movements of the wind on wheatfields, not from an intellectual u...

Fauvists: A group of early 20th century artists emphasized intense vivid unnatural colors, and wild painterly brushwork, less representational or realistic forms, influenced by Cezanne and Gauguin.

• Matisse (co-founder of Fauvism with Derain).
o Notes: He grew in his sense of design from line ...

Some of the key takeaway points embedded within the videos are noted here with suggested assignments that I have done as a student and many times during my career. They have offered them to thousands of my students who have profited from them.
Have available different types of sketchbooks from s...

Manet: Journaling.
Establish an Artist Journal, which is different from a sketchbook used just for drawing.
An Artist Journal has sketches, plus word sketches, lyrics, poems, notes on philosophy, methods, reflections, and or photographs; it is a place for 'my favorite things.'
Do a series of visu...

Renoir: Fall in Love
Select a high rez image.
Select and study a Renoir piece; note what you find delightful about it.
Consider copying a small section from his work.
From your insights gained and in your Journal, reflect upon what is beauty.
Write your own definition of it.
This is the well yo...

Sargent – A 3-step Layering Painting Process
There is a freshness in his work. Copy or use one of his works. Simplify it first.
Do it in stages. After the drawing, layout the 3 layers of paint
• Layout a thin watercolor-like wash as the foundation
• Add a layer of Intermediate paint.
• Next, a...

Weir - Paint your legacy.
• Let your nature reveal nature.
• What do you want to leave for others? Draw or paint a legacy landscape.
• Painting is an extension of yourself. Focus on the brushstrokes and light, the light on the subject at the moment, or the light within your heart, often it is a...

van Gogh –Line Choreography
Study his drawings’ line choreography for they mirror his brushstroke choreography. He was passionate, painted colorfully and quickly yet when looking at his drawings, they indicate that he practiced how he was going to approach expressing the image.
Select your fav...

Matisse – Line to Design
Line crosses over itself creates form. Form is the beginning of design which is a combination of positive and negative shapes. Draw on paper a place you love (an interior or landscape) using outlines. Exaggerate, augment, and poeticize the forms, then transfer the drawing...