Impressionism

Bonjour! The way I often describe this style of painting to my children or the ladies in my art class is this:

Before the invention of the camera, it was important for paintings to be much more realistic, almost like record-keeping. Painstaking detail was used with great technical skill. With the invention of the camera, artists began branching out a bit into new ways of expression. This was, of course, met with much opposition at first and the art of people like Claude Monet was considered bad and unappealing. But Monet liked what he created and kept at it, basically inventing a style that was not realistic, but gave the “impression” of the scene he wanted to convey. His style was loose and free.

Early on, I created much more realistic art, but I’ve grown over the years to really prefer Impressionism. It’s unique to the artist, stylized, and forgiving.

These are the reasons I love to create this style with my children, and with the women who are new to art in my class.

While it’s a bit more “free” than realism, it still works within boundaries, with attention to perspective, light, color, and contrast.

Monet painting from the streets of Honfleur

Honfleur, France

My husband and I traveled last fall with our friends to this dream-like coastal village of Honfleur, where Monet came to do much of his painting, along with many other Impressionism painters.

From the Normandy tourism website:

“Honfleur’s beauty has long attracted artists, with works of art to be found in the town’s many museums and galleries. Honfleur takes particular pride in its Impressionist roots – Claude Monet’s mentor Eugène Boudin was born in the town, and Monet and his contemporaries would often set up their easels at the Ferme Saint-Siméon on the hill above Honfleur, to capture the beautiful light of the Seine estuary.”

What an idyllic place.

Wouldn’t it be amazing to take an outdoor painting class in this spot with so much art history?

A few Art supplies I love for travel

This Moleskin notebook for sketches and journaling (love the pocket for postcards and mementos)
This Strathmore notebook for painting (gorgeous quality)
A pen holder for your journal (love these!)
A small pencil/brush case like THIS or THIS.
Water pens for watercolors
Watercolor Paints, the most basic child’s set will work great, or try something fun like THIS.
Pencils
Ink pen (what I use for my sketches!)
This portable photo printer for a couple daily print-outs!
Washi Tape in colors I love to tape in paper memories