Tonalism Lesson #1, Part 5 - Tonalist painting and how to think like a Tonalist painter.

 Now to try on a new way of thinking and painting for you...... Try this experiment....

Now that I have showed you the process for thinking about composition, finding some  structural elements, making a thumbnail, and starting a painting with a limited palette.



I would like you to try out the process with with the images below. If you demonstrate that you followed the process you can earn a sizable number of points to gain more chances to win.

Try some of these images...... which may utilize slightly different palettes. I suggest starting with strong contrast paintings first. As the subtle transitions in the close value paintings are more challenging.




30 pts when you hand in a tonalist painting.

California Tonalism.....

Dark Skies Cuillin Skye by Zarina Stewart Clark ......Landscape Artist
naples yellow, umber, white, prussian blue, black

Green Praire Rain Storm over Canola Field by I.M. Ruzz, Canadian Artist

black, white, yellow, sienna

Pink, Purple, Blue Sunset Oil Painting,
Abstract Contemporary Tonalist Landscape by Jake Trujillo
magenta, cad yellow, ultramarine blue black white

The Hourglass of Spring by Jan Benclowe acrylic

sienna, cad orange, white, black, ultramarine blue and alizarin

Lovell Birge Harrison (American, 1854– 1929), Silence, ca. 1890

yellow ochre, thalo, black cad orange or sienna

Reflections In A Golden Pond by artist Maurice Sapiro
take a look at more of Maurice Sapiro's work
sienna, umber, cad yellow, white and black

 by artist Leon Dabo

Thalo, cad orange, white with a touch of  ochre, magenta or diaozine purple and maybe black

Approaching Storm by Dennis Sheehan
burnt umber, yellow ochre, Paynes grey, veridian, white
Look at the work of Sheehan

Study after Paul Troulillebert - landscape by M Francis McCarthy
burnt sienna, yellow ochre thalo blue, alizarin, white 

The Home of the Heron by George Inness
burnt umber, yellow ochre, Paynes grey, white

Sunset by George Inness

yellow ochre, white, Quinacridone Red, ultramarine blue and Paynes Grey

by Jane Blebmcowe
burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, white, maybe Paynes grey

by Dennis Sheehan
burnt umber, yellow ochre, Paynes grey, veridian, white

by Maurice Sapiro
burnt sienna, yellow ochre, Paynes grey, veridian, white

tonalist landscape abstract from Matthew of Timber Trail Arts

burnt sienna, yellow ochre, Paynes grey, veridian, white

Long Island Sunset by Charles Melville Dewy

burnt umber, yellow ochre, Paynes grey, veridian, white

Oxbow of the Connecticut River by Wolf Kahn burnt sienna, yellow ochre, ultramarine and white

The Snow Field by Charles Warren Eaton

watercolor but could be done in other media

burnt seinna, prussian blue, yellow ochre, white

Gloaming Pines in Watercolor by Charles Warren Eaton
burnt seinna, paynes grey, white

other Tonalist work to look at is at this link. Enjoy!