{"id":1394694,"date":"2025-01-17T09:15:58","date_gmt":"2025-01-17T09:15:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jacksonsart.com\/blog\/?p=1394694"},"modified":"2026-03-31T15:37:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T14:37:06","slug":"contemporary-impressionism-techniques-exhibitions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jacksonsart.com\/blog\/2025\/01\/17\/contemporary-impressionism-techniques-exhibitions\/","title":{"rendered":"Contemporary Impressionism: Techniques and Materials"},"content":{"rendered":"

As it\u2019s been 130 years since the first British Impressionist Exhibition, we decided to revisit the Impressionist movement: what the themes were, the techniques that were used, and how the work was received. Looking at contemporary artists it is clear how many have been influenced by the Impressionists and use part of their approach in a modern way. This article also gives tips on how an artist can paint with this approach.<\/p>\n

Above image:<\/strong> End of the Day Strand On The Green<\/em>, John Stillman RSMA, 7 x 10 cm<\/small><\/p>\n

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\"Berthe
Dans les bl\u00e9s<\/em>, circa 1875
Berthe Morisot
Oil on canvas, 47 x 69 cm<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Contemporary Impressionism: Painting Light Lives On<\/h2>\n

Contents<\/h2>\n

The Formation of Impressionism<\/a><\/p>\n

Modern Impressionism Compared to Traditional Impressionism<\/a><\/p>\n

Key Techniques of Impressionist Painting<\/a><\/p>\n

Key Materials Used for Creating Impressionist Paintings<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

The Formation of Impressionism<\/h2>\n

The first exhibition of Impressionist work took place in April 1874, and at the time, they were considered ridiculous. But shortly after, they were seen as groundbreaking and now many of their views and techniques are taken as the mainstay of painting. Most people know the names of the main Impressionists (Monet, Renoir, Pissarro, Sisley, C\u00e9zanne, Berthe Morisot, Edgar Degas). And their work and approach is still increasingly popular with collectors and artists alike.<\/p>\n

\"Philip
Girls Running, Walberswick Pier<\/em>, 1888-94
Philip Wilson Steer
Presented by Lady Augustus Daniel, 1951<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

During the first exhibition, the term \u2018Impressionist\u2019 was coined to be derogatory. The art dealer Paul Durand-Ruel was unable to even pay the artists the agreed sums due to lack of collectors. And when several French Impressionists were staying in Britain their work barely sold. However, by the time of the first English Impressionist exhibition in 1889, the term Impressionist had become synonymous with modern life, spontaneity, independence, and the future of art. James McNeill Whistler brought many of the then solidified Impressionist techniques to Britain. He showed them to his pupils Walter Richard Sickert and Wilson Steer, who then promoted the approach in England through creating the New English Art Club<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Walter
The Camden Town Murder, or What Shall We Do For the Rent?<\/em>, c.1908 – c.1909
Walter Sickert
Oil on\u00a0canvas, 25.6 x 35.6 cm<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/div>\n
\"Michael
Nude Reclining Striped Cotton 1<\/em>
Michael Alford<\/a>
Oil on board, 14 x 22 cm<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Modern Impressionism Compared to Traditional Impressionism<\/h2>\n

An Impressionist approach is still favoured by many British painters working today. But, has the intention of Impressionism changed in its modern form? It was revolutionary at the time because it did away with the hard lines and clear forms that the art world had made mandatory, and instead relied on rapid brushstrokes and colour. This is no longer revolutionary so does it change the nature of the work?<\/p>\n

\"Roger
Painter in the Shade<\/em>
Roger Dellar RI, ROI, PS<\/a>
12 x 12 cm<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Some modern artists follow an Impressionist approach that hasn\u2019t really changed in over 130 years. They work predominantly outdoors, focus on light, and work spontaneously to describe a moment. This means their work has similar themes and intent to the original Impressionists. However, while Impressionism was revolutionary at its inception it is now seen as traditional and part of the institution, meaning modern \u2018Impressionists\u2019 cannot be viewed as rebellious. A perfect example of how equivalent groups to the Impressionist communities are still thriving is the plein air groups the Northern Boys and the British Plein Air Painters, both of whom work predominantly outdoors and use some techniques that can be seen as Impressionist. <\/p>\n

Lois Griffel\u2019s book Painting the Impressionist Landscape<\/a><\/em> builds and further looks at contemporary Impressionist painting compared to the original Impressionist paintings and describes how to mimic an Impressionist working style.<\/p>\n

\"Haidee-Jo
White dahlias<\/em>
Haidee-Jo Summers<\/a>
Oil painting on panel, 16 x 12 cm<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/div>\n
\"Claude
The Seine at Lavacourt<\/em>, 1880
Claude Monet
Oil on canvas, 98.4 cm x 149.2 cm<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Key Techniques of Impressionist Painting<\/h2>\n

Some of the key features of Traditional Impressionism are in play in modern work as visible throughout this post. There tends to be slightly less optical mixing now as the abundance of per-mixed colours has made it redundant as a necessity while working outdoors. But many artists still opt to use optical mixing as it’s visually alluring.<\/p>\n