Alfred Sisley
Edgar Dégas
Paul Cézanne
Édouard Manet (later years)
Impressionist paintings are characterised by short, thick strokes of paint, which are applied to capture the subject's essence, rather than focusing on minutiae. There is also a strong emphasis on experimentation and use of natural light, paying close attention to the reflection of colours from object to object. The paint is often applied impasto. This is a borrowed Italian word that means 'dough' or 'mixture'; the term almost usually refers to painting, and involves the very thick application of paint onto a canvas or artwork area, so much so that the brush or paint knife strokes are visible. Oil paint is most suitable for this technique, due to its thick texture and and slow drying time, but sometimes acrylic paint is used.
Other features of this painting style include the use of colours side-by-side with little blending, resulting in a vibrant effect, the process of the colour mixture completes upon viewing. Grays and other dark tones are produced by mixing complementary colours, as black paint is avoided whenever possible. Wet paint is also often placed into wet paint, to produce the effect of soft edges, as well a harmonious blend of colour.
Edouard Manet, Le Bar aux Folies-Bergère, 1882
Edgar Dégas, Deux danseuses, 1898,99
Charcoal and pastel on joined paper laid down on card
Alfred Sisley, Flood at Port-Marly, 1876
Paul Cézanne, Apples, Peaches, Pears, and Grapes, 1879-80
Oil on canvas, 38.5 x 46.5 cm
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