Impressionist Project

PHOTOSHOP:
The Impressionist Project

OBJECTIVE:
Students will create a painting that emulates a particular Impressionistic style. Students will become familiar with famous impressionists, such as Cassatt, Monet, Manet, Renoir, Dega, Seurat, VanGogh, and Pissaro.Be sure to click on the link to the evaluation page for complete details!
STEP ONE: Find a photograph that is a landscape in a magazine or book. It must have a wide variety of color, a good composition (background, middleground, foreground), and a clear center of attention. Man-made objects should be kept to a minimum, so that the landscape can be the main subject. (Water scenes are fine, as long as they have all the elements mention above.)(Be sure you have your photo with you daily in class, in order to participate.)
STEP TWO: Open a new file in Photoshop that is 9x12" (or 12x9"), RGB, 300 dpi, with a toned background. (Choose a tone that works for your landscape: soft yellow, light blue, tan, light gold. )Look at the format of your photo to determine which format to use. Use guidelines to create a one inch border on all sides.
STEP THREE: Zoom down so that your page is small enough to draw on easily. Use the pencil tool and a light gray line to create a simple line drawing that captures your composition. Don't worry about detail. Concentrate on capturing major areas of color, and creating a clear center of attention. Remember to use diagonals to move the viewer's eye to the center of the canvas.
STEP FOUR: Before you start adding color, use the Rectangular Selection Tool to create a "box" or frame around the outside of your drawing (just inside the 1" border). Stroke the frame with the same light gray. Be sure all your color areas tie to that box.

STEP FIVE: Begin by blocking in very light colors in all areas. This will serve as background for the actual brushstrokes.

STEP SIX: When all areas have a soft, light color, begin creating specific Brushes to create an Impressionistic effect. Remember that the more brushstrokes and texture you create, the better your painting will be! Continue working until all areas have a lush, thick covering of brushstrokes. Remember that objects closest to the front of the canvas will be the largest and most distinct. Colors are softer and brushstrokes smaller and less distince in the distance.

LINKS to sites about IMPRESSIONISM:

Experience Impressionism

Impressionism & Post-Impressionism

PAINT PICTURES ONLINE

Characteristics of
IMPRESSIONISTIC PAINTING

1. Visible Brushstrokes- small strokes, dots and dabs of color; brushstrokes intentionally place

d one next to another to create a vibrant visual effect in the eye

2. Unmixed colors- artists used pure colors, not blended or mixed

2. Rich, textured feel to the canvas- very few "smooth" areas.

3. Colors are rich and intense.

4. Usually an outside scene ("en plein air")

5. Effects of light are emphasized (dappled lighting effects, shadows, sunrise/sunset colors, etc.)

6. Painting gives a quick "impression" of a scene.