Tonalism

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Tonalism: Art history

Tonalism is an artistic style characterized by an emphasis on the effects of light and shadow on color and detail. Early Tonalist art was often dark and moody with understated color and a very soft focus. [Image at left: Summer Landscape, 1894, by George Inness.]

Tonalism schools of art 

Two distinct, early approaches to tone and simplicity

Tonalism emerged as an artistic style -- or perhaps a convergence of styles -- around 1880, though the term "tonalist" wasn't used until the 1890s.

Though the Tonalist style was most obvious in America, it was influenced by French paintings from the Barbizon school and Luminism, as well as Hudson River School landscapes.

Tonalist art is sometimes described as dark and moody, and can reflect a palette of cool or grey colors. However, the skies and both the reflected and local color can be warm and romantic, similar to the Luminist school of art.

It may by simplest to define 19th-century Tonalism by what it was not: Tonalist artists generally avoided the high-keyed palettes and color combinations of the Impressionists. Many Tonalists also worked with thin, sometimes transparent layers of paint, revealing few brushstrokes in the finished work.

Early Tonalist artists often followed one of two trends. One is the softer style represented by George Inness and the French Barbizon School. These landscapes can include precise details and broad expanses of sky, carefully painted to capture the lighting. These are by far the most popular Tonalist works.

The other Tonalist approach is exemplified by James McNeil Whistler, whose style is sometimes described as Aestheticism. This work was heavily influenced by Whistler's study of Japanese art, and focused on simple compositions and a limited palette, with the free use of black for drama.

Whistler's clearest examples of Tonalism are his "Nocturnes" series. They were partly influenced by Whistler's fascination with tone, but also the principles of Horace Lecoq de Boisbaudran.

In the late 1840s, Lecoq had published the popular 1848 pamphlet, L'Education de la mémoire pittoresque (The Training of the Memory in Art), encouraging artists to study the subject but then draw or paint from memory.

The technique of working only from memory is still popular among modern Tonalists, and -- along with the emphasis on a limited palette and simple compositions -- remains one of the most distinguishing aspects of this style of art.

[Illustration: Nocturne: Blue and Gold, by James McNeil Whistler, 1877.]

Tonalist artists at Amazon 

Mastering the Art of French Cooking (2 Volume Set)

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YouTube demo using Tonalist colors 

stop motion painting

landscape oil painting

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Tonalism at Wikipedia 

Category: File - :Dabo - The Seashore.jpg|thumb|The Seashore, by Leon Dabo ca. 1900; Oil on masonite; 76.8 x 86.4 cm

Tonalism (1880 to 1915) is an artistic style that emerged in the 1880s when American artists began to paint landscape forms with an overall tone of colored atmosphere or mist. Dark, neutral hues, such as gray, brown or blue, would usually dominate such compositions. During the late 1890s American art critics began to use the term "tonal" to describe these works. Two of the leading painters associated with this style are George Inness and James McNeill Whistler.

Tonalism is also sometimes used to describe American landscapes derived from the French Barbizon style,Avery, Kevin J. & Fischer, Diane P. "American Tonalism: Selections from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Montclair Art Museum ". Burlington Magazine, Vol. 142, No. 1168, July, 2000. p. 453. which employs an emphasis on mood and shadow."Art Movements". artbrokering.com. Retrieved on January 18, 2007. Tonalism, in both its forms, was eclipsed by the popularity of Impressionism and European modernism.

Modern Tonalists 

Some late 20th and early 21st century Tonalist painters

These artists are working in Tonalist styles, or several of their most popular works are clearly influenced by Tonalism.
Dennis Sheehan
New Hampshire Tonalist artist adhering to Barbizon principles.
Don Bishop
Tonalist painter from the Northwest, painting in his studio and en plein air.
William McCarthy
Tonalist painter working in a luminous, evocative style.
Michael Fratrich
New England painter of rural scenes, some in Tonalist style.

Tonalist landscape artists at Flickr 

Leonard Ochtman by Smithsonian Institution

Leonard Ochtman

Scotch Firs by Millais 1873 by Martin Beek

Scotch Firs by Milla...

Blow Blow Thou Winter Wind by Millais by Martin Beek

Blow Blow Thou Winte...

"Flowing to the Sea" by Millais 1871 by Martin Beek

"Flowing to the...

John Frederick Kensett by Smithsonian Institution

John Frederick Kense...

Homer Dodge Martin by Smithsonian Institution

Homer Dodge Martin

Sandow-Birk-label by Marshall Astor - Food Pornographer

Sandow-Birk-label

Sandow-Birk-San-Quentin by Marshall Astor - Food Pornographer

Sandow-Birk-San-Quen...

paloaltohome by Devin Neil

paloaltohome

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by ElizabethBennet

When I'm not reading and writing, I'm painting. The more that I learn about how the 19th century artists worked, the more my own art improves. (more)

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