Impressionism(1875) Post Impressionism(1890)

Painting Exercise:

Because this painting exercise is placed within the Impressionism and Post Impressionism unit an emphasis on spontaneity and visible brush strokes should be incorporated into the assignment.

Along with this exercise, students may be interested to learn how paintings are restored and preserved. Viewing Restoring a Masterwork (http://www.artsmia.org/restoration-online/) may be an interesting supplementary or enrichment activity for students.

A teacher may wish to demonstrate a quick “impressionistic” style of painting for the students. Subject matter could be as simple as boxes, cones, and balls. A possible example follows:

Students will need acrylic paints, (thick paint works better than the runny type) stiff acrylic or oil brushes, water, and scrap paper.

It should be explained that this painting will be produced in layers starting with background or objects that are the farthest from the viewer. Demonstration should take place on a surface in a visible location so students can see the techniques being used and how the paint and brush is handled.

With students ready to paint (meaning they have their materials and are attentive) the teacher should begin by laying a wash of a similar color as the proposed background. See Painting steps, illustration 1. This covers the paper with a solid color so that if the “random” brush strokes that will be used do not cover the paper completely, it is not so obvious. On their paper students should do what the teacher does and follow each step of the process.

Next the teacher lays on a color for the background. See Painting steps, illustrations 2-4. Working from one area of the canvas to the other the teacher adds colors quickly and uses random brush strokes, blending the colors a little but without completely changing the colors. (some of each original color should show. If not, the painting becomes muddy) Care must be taken to vary the background to indicate a light source.

Next the ground is added. See Painting steps, illustrations 5 and 6 The ground could be a table top or any horizontal surface. Again, lay down a wash of similar color first then use the undiluted paint and random brush strokes to cover the paper more substantially. A darker color seems to work well for the ground.

Simple geometric shapes can be added next using lighter colors and taking care to indicate light and shadow. See Painting steps, illustrations 7 and 8. Continue using random brush strokes to indicate a soft and dreamy world much like the impressionists created. See finished product.

Work quickly and spontaneously. This exercise should take no more than one hour to complete.

Students are then allowed to use similar techniques to produce a simple painting of their own design. Emphasize the fact that a grouping of simple shapes usually produces a pleasing painting.

Impressionistic Painting Exercise Evaluation:

Random brush strokes used
No “muddy” colors
Good composition of shapes/objects
Variety of colors integrated nicely
Light source indicated throughout painting (on objects and background)