Why I love Tonalism

Tonalism is a painting style that emerged in the late 19th century in America. It is characterized by a subdued, atmospheric quality and a tonal harmony that evokes a sense of calm and tranquility. Tonalist paintings are often landscapes, depicting a quiet, serene scene, often with a soft, diffused light.

One of the defining characteristics of Tonalism is its use of color. Tonalist painters often used a limited color palette, with muted, earthy tones dominating the composition. This gives the paintings a subtle, understated quality that draws the viewer in and invites contemplation.

Another important element of Tonalism is the use of light. Tonalist painters often portrayed landscapes at dawn or dusk, when the light is soft and diffused. This creates a sense of stillness and tranquility, inviting the viewer to pause and reflect.

Tonalism had a significant impact on the art world and on viewers. It marked a departure from the bright, bold colors and dramatic compositions of earlier movements like the Hudson River School. Tonalism was a reaction against the industrialization and rapid urbanization of America, a longing for a simpler, more peaceful way of life.

Tonalist paintings have a soothing effect on viewers, inviting them to slow down and appreciate the beauty of the natural world. They have been described as "visual meditations," providing a moment of respite from the chaos and noise of modern life.

The most important skill you learn in art school.

When it comes to creating successful art, you first need to master the principles of design. The most important is composition. If you didn’t go to art school this is the missing piece you need to understand. Don’t even bother painting until you master composing a scene and using the other elements of design to balance it all out. Practice drawing compositions daily, 10 or more a day. They don’t have to be super detailed just 5-10 minute sketches. If you need guidance there are courses out there you can use to learn this skill. This is the one I recommend, but there are many others that will help you learn to design your art before you even pick up a brush.

P.S. This also applies to photography.

You can find this course by Ian Roberts here: Mastering Composition

A Basic Overview of Abstract Landscape Art

What is Abstract Landscape Art?

Abstract Landscape Art is a form of Non-objective Painting. It was created in Russia in the early 20th century and was influenced by the work of Wassily Kandinsky, Kazimir Malevich, and Natalia Goncharova. The movement emerged in the mid-20th century, as an offshoot from Abstract Expressionism, with New York School painters such as Jackson Pollock, Franz Kline, and Willem de Kooning often being considered pioneers.

Abstract landscape art is not just an abstract painting of a landscape. It can also include scenery and elements from the environment like trees, mountains, ponds and animals. However, the artist may use lines, shapes, and colors to depict the natural world without using any reference to realism.

How to Interpret Abstract Paintings and Find Your Own Voice

Abstract art is an art form that doesn't represent the physical world in a direct and literal way. It may not be possible to fully understand what abstract paintings really mean, but there are some ways to interpret them.

Abstract art can be interpreted through symbols, shapes, colors, and textures. They are often created without any specific meaning or message in mind. But you can find your own voice by interpreting these paintings in your own way. They are a form of self-expression for artists. They can be interpreted in a variety of ways and have different meanings for different people. There's no right or wrong way to interpret them, but it's important to experiment with them and find your own voice through exploration. They may even mean something different to you at different times depending on your mood, or situation in life. The artist might have something in mind when they create the piece and it may be evident in the naming of the piece but they usually do not oppose that on the viewer.

An abstract artist usually creates their work by using intuition, imagination, and creativity. They are not concerned with realism, though they are usually trained with those skill sets prior to moving into abstract painting because that knowledge is invaluable in the process. However, there is no one way to paint an abstract painting.

Abstract Perspective- What Makes It Work?

The word "perspective" derives from the Latin verb "perspicere", meaning "to see through". Perspective is the technique, or method, used to represent three-dimensional objects on a two-dimensional surface so that they appear to give the correct impression of depth. It can be one of the most important parts of any painting. Without it, the painting would not feel believable, or acceptable in our perception and it would not have that "wow" factor in working cohesively all together as one piece. This is one of the key areas where visual psychology come into play.

Abstract perspective is the result of an artist’s attempt to represent the world in front of them. It doesn’t have to be a single perspective but rather it can be a combination of many perspectives. As such, it can be used in many different ways and styles. It can be used to show spatial relationships, as well as size, shape, and texture. Perspective is important because it helps viewers understand what they are looking at and how far away things are from them. It’s a tool that can be uses to set a sense of balance that the viewer feels comfortable with, or in some cases uncomfortable with. Like the dark overtones in some of my paintings.

Art Techniques for Composing Abstract Landscapes

Art is a form of expression. It is a way to convey emotions and thoughts through colors, shapes and textures. With abstract art it does not have to have any recognizable figures or shapes that represent objects in the world around us, but there are some rules that still apply. Why do some rules still apply? It has to do with our nervous system and how we perceive reality, but that is getting a bit more into visual psychology again which is one my favorite subjects by the way. If you are interested in this area I would recommend reading anything from Rudolf Arnheim, but I digress.

Composition is the act of placing or arranging things in a certain order. It can be done in many different ways, but the most common is through art or design. Artists and designers use composition to create artwork that catches the eye of their audience and has a unique style. Abstract composition similarly is the art of arranging visual elements within a work so as to create an emotional response in the viewer. The abstract composition can be used to represent anything from nature, to ideas and concepts. The elements of design play a big roles in many of the disciplines in art so it is one area that you really need to be proficient in as an artist.

Abstract art has been around for centuries and it has evolved over time as artists explore different techniques for composing abstract landscapes. Some of these techniques are:
- Rule of thirds
- Golden ratio
- Balance and symmetry
- Negative space

The topic of composition is very vast and difficult to master. It is generally one of the most important elements of any painting so I will probably talk about it in length.

Conclusion and How To Find More Resources on Abstract Landscape Art

Abstract landscape art is a form of modern art that is not representational at heart. It often uses the power of color and line to create an emotional response or reaction to the viewer. it has been around for decades, but it is still evolving as artists experiment with new ideas and techniques.

The conclusion of this article is to find more resources on abstract landscape art. You can start by visiting museums, galleries, and art exhibitions that have an abstract landscape section. If you are not able to do this, then you can search for books and articles that have been written on the subject, or keep an eye out for new posts here on my blog in the future.

Some of my favorite abstract landscape artist are:
Kerr Ashmore
Richard Whadcock
David Taylor

Below is my painting “Baja Sunrise” which you can find in my Print Archive.