How to Paint Impressionism the Easy Way

Impressionism is a stunning art movement! It originated in 19^th century France and continues to this day. Artists began painting impressionism as a way to capture the fleeting moment of life’s feelings and experiences. The bright bold colors and blurry impressions were radical at the time. Today, it is a classic art form that is beloved around the world.

Did you know that you can paint impressionism too? It does not have to be complicated. All you need are the basics to paint like an impressionist the easy way. We’ll show you some tips how.

Start with a colored background canvas. It’s a secret technique used by the Masters to cut the sharp glare undertones of a white primed canvas. Yellow ochre is a good color for beginners. Next, pick a photograph or an object as your study and squint at it. Yes, you read it right. Squint! What you see squinting will help you determine the blurred edges that are iconic with impressionistic paintings. Finally, decide where you would like to paint. You can paint indoors or out. Painting outside is called Plein Air. If you do paint outside, plan to work quickly. The colors in nature change during the day.

The Masters used oil-based paint, but you can also use acrylic. This water-based paint dries faster and is easier to clean. When you have your palette and supplies ready, apply the paint thick to create a dappled effect. You can also mix the paint with water on your brush for dreamy skies and landscapes. Move the brush with dash strokes to create the ‘impression’ of your subject. Pro tip: mix your colors on the canvas while you’re painting the scene to blend them and create depth. You’ll save trips to the palette and keep it cleaner longer.

Painting like an impressionist is fun! You can paint by yourself for some well-deserved ‘me’ time. Or, invite friends to join you for a painting party. However you choose to do it, having fun is the most important thing. Impressionism is a relaxed art form, after all. So sit back, enjoy your painting, and admire the amazing artists who paint impressionism…like these artists at Seaside Art Gallery.

 Chelsea Reed is a copywriter who writes online content, articles, blogs, and websites from her base in North Carolina.