10 Impressionist Painting Tips {Be a Better Painter}

Summary

In this video, viewers are given 10 practical tips for painting in an impressionistic style. Key suggestions include squinting to focus on composition, using distant reference photos, and embracing creative color choices. The speaker emphasizes the importance of value and intensity, advises the use of larger brushes for bold strokes, and encourages experimenting with various tools. Additional tips include holding the brush further down for more movement, standing while painting for energy, training your eye to perceive colors differently, and setting time limits to enhance creativity. These strategies aim to liberate artists from detail-oriented painting, fostering a more expressive approach.

Takeaways

• 😀 Squint at your painting to enhance focus on values and composition.
• 📸 Keep reference photos at a distance to avoid getting caught up in details.
• 🎨 Use your imagination with colors; don't feel restricted by reality.
• ⚖️ Focus on the value and intensity of colors for a realistic impressionistic effect.
• 🖌️ Opt for a big brush to promote bold strokes and minimize detail-oriented painting.
• 🔧 Experiment with different materials, like palette knives, to achieve unique textures.
• ✋ Hold the brush further down the handle for more movement and energy in your painting.
• 🏃‍♂️ Stand while painting to enhance freedom of movement and creativity.
• 👀 Train your eye to see the world in an impressionistic way, analyzing colors and values.
• ⏰ Set a time limit for painting sessions to encourage quick, impressionistic work.

Q & A

Why is squinting at your painting beneficial?

Squinting helps you block out unnecessary details and focus on the essential values and composition, which is crucial for impressionistic painting.

What should you do with a reference photo while painting?

Keep the reference photo at a distance to prevent getting caught up in details; this allows you to capture the overall essence of the subject.

How can imagination play a role in color selection?

Using your imagination allows you to explore different color combinations and not feel restricted by real-life colors, making the painting process more enjoyable.

What is the importance of value and color intensity in impressionistic painting?

Maintaining lighter and less saturated colors for distant objects helps create a realistic effect, which is essential for achieving an impressionistic style.

Why is it recommended to use a big brush?

A big brush encourages broader strokes, helping to avoid unnecessary detail and allowing for more expressive, dynamic painting.

What are some alternative tools you can experiment with?

Consider using a palette knife or a rubber wedge to create different textures and effects, which can enhance the impressionistic quality of your painting.

How does holding the brush further down the handle affect your painting?

Holding the brush further down allows for more movement from your arm rather than just your fingers, resulting in a more energetic and fluid painting style.

What advantages does standing up while painting provide?

Standing up allows for greater freedom of movement, promoting a more spontaneous and lively approach to the painting process.

How can training your brain improve your painting skills?

Training your brain to observe colors and values differently helps you develop a more impressionistic view of the world, which can enhance your painting practice.

What is the benefit of setting a time limit while painting?

Working within a set time limit encourages quick decision-making and reduces the focus on details, fostering a more impressionistic approach to painting.