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