How to Paint as an Impressionist
Learn the art of capturing a moment like Claude Monet, Édouard Manet, Mary Cassatt, Paul Cézanne and Edgar Degas did. The impressionists arose in 19th century Paris. Artists led by Monet redefined the 19th century French canon of art. The Salon accepted only conservative religious, historical and portrait paintings. The rebels of 19th century Parisian society were dedicated to elevating their landscape and still-life paintings, integrating themes of modernity and using advances in technology to reflect the new world around them. You can paint like an impressionist by using bold colors, quick strokes, and your everyday life as inspiration.
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Instructions
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Pick invigorating and bold colors like greens, blues, reds and oranges. In 19th century Paris, the historical, portrait and religious paintings were very conservative and somber. One of the Salon's favorite colors was black. Today, black still tends to be conservative and somber, so steer clear. Impressionism is about life and invention.
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Paint thin and quick brush strokes. The essence of impressionism is to catch a moment, especially with the 19th century photography craze. You must at least make it feel like you are painting in a flash. You have only one second to capture an impressionist moment, so paint thinly and quickly. Give the illusion that your paint brush is so feverishly trying to capture the moment that it is barely touching the canvas.
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Use contrasting colors or tones and paint shadows to incorporate sources of light that will highlight your subjects. Light sources will make your subjects appear to have more movement. The static portraits, historical and religious paintings of the Salon were passé. Strive for movement in your work.
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Paint your subjects from different angles. Just like a camera lens, different angles create different subjects. For instance, ask yourself if you want a bird's-eye view, or one that puts your subjects in the forefront. Paul Cézanne painted the Sainte-Victoire mountains from 60 angles. Although you might not need to do 60, no two angles will produce the same content.
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Paint your quotidian experience and everyday people. Look outside at nature as a source of inspiration. Picturesque impressionist scenes often involved groups of people gathered at picnics. Don't be afraid of painting stimulating psychological works either. For instance, Mary Cassatt used everyday objects like mirrors in some of her works to engage the audience. Since relationships are also a large part of being human, depict them like Mary Cassatt did; for instance, your subject matter can be a mother and her daughter. Nudity is as natural as it comes and definitely leaves an impression. Look to Manet's "The Luncheon on the Grass" and "Olympia" for the quintessential rebellion spirit that characterized the impressionists.
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