Painting the Impressionist Landscape: Lessons in Interpreting Light and Color

by Lois Griffel

Master Impressionism with an art-instruction classic. Impressionism has inspired generations of American artists. And no one has done more for the cause of American Impressionism than Charles Hawthorne, the founder of the Cape Cod School of Art. In Painting the Impressionist Landscape , author and artist Lois Griffel explores Hawthorne’s theories about color and light in depth. Griffel, the longtime director of the school Hawthorne founded, teaches his philosophy like no other painter can, with inspiring step-by-step painting lessons and illuminating text. A true classic of art instruction, Painting the Impressionist Landscape has sold more than 30,000 copies in hardcover in the fifteen years since it was first published. Now a new generation of painters can bring impressionism into their work with this convenient and affordable paperback edition.

Genres: Art

144 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1994

Reviews

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun. Am interested in Impressionist painting and although I didn't read this cover to cover (yet) did enjoy the pictures and the points the author was making with the illustrations. Someday, in retirement perhaps, I'll start the steps in this book. Remember reading Churchill's memoirs and when he took up painting he sat and stared at the blank canvass more scared than he had ever been in his life. An acquaintance pulled up to the house, came over to him (for he was outside at Chequers), grabbed a paint brush and put a blob of paint on the canvass. She told him not to be afraid and marched into the house to have tea with his wife. Kept thinking of that as I read this---wondering if I’ll have the courage to start.

[Peter Herrmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

The paintings are profuse and beautiful; many are hers; but other artists' as well. And despite what one of the snarkier commenters here said about her work not stacking up to Monet, most - if not all - of her paintings are superb (imho). So 4-stars on that. As for the color exercises: colored blocks (sun, cloud, different local colors of block, different facets, shadow), and curved surfaces. I didn't even try .... several years of practice and classes informs me that without an in-person instructor I'm hopeless. Perhaps these exercises might help others. Too much verbiage, besides. An accomplished artist could appreciate the exercises. (But, probably wouldn't need them). So 2-stars on the how-to aspect. As with some (many?) how-to art books I've read, the emphasis seemed to be "see what a great artist [i.e. the author] can achieve." (And, imho, she is a great artist). There are however some practical takeaways (e.g., don't just always reach for the dark umber when painting a tree; many more such). I was also pleased when she said that painting with a palette knife instead of a brush is acceptable, and has some advantages; as well as her saying that using paint right out of the tube [in contrast to what so many other teachers & books say] is also acceptable on occasion. As with the exercises, perhaps too much verbiage throughout - at least for me to be able to absorb or remember. Basically I'm left with a sense that to 'get it right' (understanding color and light) is an overwhelmingly complex task - too much for ordinary mortals. Altogether, perhaps 3-stars.

[Saliha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall inspiring, and I loved the example pieces Griffel included throughout. Loved the concept of mud-heads! A bit repetitive in places...

[AC · Rating 3 out of 5]

A strange book -- the author seems to think she is on a par with Monet -- and often prints her own pictures alongside his... to her disadvantage. On the other hand, this book was quite useful for me -- since until two weeks ago, I had no idea what a palette knife was -- much less how widely it is used -- and thought 'color' was something a sportscaster did.


I have no idea whether or not this is a good book, and to even find myself reading something of this sort is quite astounding to me.

It is written by the third director of an American art school (in Cape Cod) that derives from a color theorists who is himself an early 20th cen. offshoot of the Impressionists. There is something ossified about this... But it is fascinating nonetheless, and helping me to begin to understand the complex nature of brush-strokes and colors used by the Impressionist painters.

[Jana Bouc · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I don't like Griffel's work, she provides an excellent explanation of the Hensche method, especially block painting and different kinds of light.

[Alyssa Greatbanks · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wasn't really helpful. It had too much text and not enough images to show you what they are trying to convey in the text.