Good Article

https://www.artsy.net/article/david-adams-cleveland-what-is-tonalism-12-essential-characteristics

Good Insight into Tonalist Technique

I'm working on an exciting project (stay tuned here) that entails researching tonalist art. 

Dawn Over the Meadow (8"x8") by M Francis McCarthy

I found this fascinating link from a conservators viewpoint that discusses Tonalist technique versus Impressionist technique and how paintings done over a hundred years ago have survived the various different approaches used.

Cheers,

A bit about "Dawn Over the Meadow". This painting was done recently. For me the focus is on the colorful sky. I'm quite happy with the way the trees in this painting came out. Believe it or not, even after doing hundreds of paintings trees can still present challenges. This painting is currently in my studio and had received some good comments from visitors.There is lots more of work on my website: http://landscapepainter.co.nz/

Great Definition of Tonalism

Wow, two years to the day since I wrote anything on this blog...

I've got some plans for this blog coming up but for now I just want to post this awesome definition of what tonalist painting actually is.

Tonalism is rooted in the French Barbizon movement, which emphasized atmosphere and shadow. The Tonalist style employs a distinctive technique by the use of color's middle values as opposed to stronger contrast and high chroma. Resulting in a understated and compelling overall effect. The tonalist subject matter is never entirely apparent; their is no effort to communicate a message or narrate a story. Instead of relating a story, each sensitively chosen color, composition, and line is arranged to create an intriguing visual poem.

The interiors of tonalist paintings are generally elegant and sparsely decorated, tonally uniform, simplified and indistinct; the figures are usually presented alone in silent contemplation. Landscapes are typically luscious and luminous with evocative atmospheric effects featuring misty backgrounds illuminated by moonlight. Tonalists painters were drawn to both the natural and spiritual realms. They sought to awaken the viewers consciousness by shrouding the subject in a misty indistinct veil of emotionalism. The palette is minimal, characterized by warm hues of brown, soft greens, gauzy yellows and muted grays. Preferred themes were evocative moonlight nights and poetic, vaporous landscapes. Tonalist painters seemed to favored unconscious states and psychological experiences over reality.

Quaote is from this site: http://www.historyofpainters.com/tonalism.htm

Charles Warren Eaton

The purpose of this blog is to explore Tonalism. I see it mainly as a sign post that interested people like yourself can use to find out more about my work and that of other Tonalist artists

I've much to say about Tonalism and many of the artists that practise this mode of painting. The thing is, much of the biographical info about any artist can be found easily on Google with a few words and a click.

So, this how I've decided to play it. I'm going to post paintings by the artist in question and give you some subjective info (my opinion) and links to follow up on. There's no need for me to rewrite their history when that info is just a few clicks away.

Charles Warren Eaton  (1857–1937) was an a Tonalist Painter known for his landscapes. The guy is an amazing artist who is just now becoming better known. His work practically defines all the best aspects of Tonalist landscape painting. I'm greatly inspired by the way he simplifies the landscape and really lets one's emotions play about his paintings.

George Inness - The Master

George Inness, greatest painter ever? I think so.

George Inness started as a Hudson River School painter but became the ultimate Tonalist both encapsulating and transcending Tonalism.

I'm not going to rewrite his bio here as I've got painting to do and you can find lots of info here and tons of images here.

I recall hearing Inness's name when I was younger but he was never counted along with the greats. No doubt this was because Tonalism itself fell out of favour with the increased popularity of modernism in art.

When I first came across the paintings of Inness I felt like I had met a artistic kindred spirit. The moody, spiritual landscapes he painted moved me in a way that only music had previously. His use of transparent shadow and an intense yet earthy pallet was unlike anything I'd ever seen. I've never copied Inness directly since then but I've endeavoured to recreate in my work the same feeling of deep emotion and insight that Inness brought to bear in his work.

There is a book available on-line that gives some insight into Inness written by his son George Inness Jr. Unfortunately there's not much information in regard to his technique but  Inness was above technique in that he would do anything to his canvas or panel from using the end of his bush to using his fingers or even scratching at the surface with a dry brush to get his desired effect.

A Great Book

Recently I've acquired a great book on Tonalism called A History of American Tonalism . This book is written in a beautiful poetic manner that inspires me to paint everytime I read it.

There is a copy of this in my Studio/Gallery here in New Zealand (I've one at home too ;-). Many people here in Whangarei feel my work is in an English style like Constable. Actually he's more like a stylistic great great grandfather. I like to show people the book so they can see what American Tonalism is all about.

This blog will owe much to this book as the author David Adams Cleveland has said so many things that resonate with myself and my art on a deep level. I will be referencing this book frequently.

The picture in today's post is by Birge Harrison. He was an amazing late era Tonalist and also wrote a great book on painting that is freely available on the internet called Landscape Painting. I'll write more about Birge and his book a later time.

Tonalist Revival

Greetings from New Zealand. I am an American Artist currently living and painting in New Zealand who paints in a Tonalist mode. My paintings can be viewed at my website here .

The purpose of this blog is to explore Tonalism both in my work and that of those who came before me. Artists like Corot, George Inness, Charles Warren Eaton and many others will be explored and discussed.

My aim is to post daily for at least a year. I will be posting lots of my art as well as various other artists work that I've discovered.

Tonalism is about a poetic interpretation of the emotive response we have to nature. It's about using the landscape and paint to convey emotion through the picture plain and into the mind and heart of the viewer. It is much more than a "tone" or any color effect or style. Tonalism is often a bit diffused but it is not about that either. I intend to use this space to advertise, expand on and promote Tonalism both traditional and modern.