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Preview of Painting Tonalism

Tonalism was developed after 1880 until the late 1920’s. It was a way of using very subtle and harmonious color and values, intending to create poetry over reality. The color and value relationships are close in range, sometimes with a strong contrast in evening or morning light.
“Paint should not be applied thick. It should be like breath on the surface of a pane of glass.” – James McNeil Whistler. Dark, neutral hues such as gray, brown or blue, often dominated compositions emphasizing mood and emotion. Of course, Tonalism was eventually replaced by Impressionism, but has made a comeback in the last 20-25 years. As a painter in training, it is a wonderful tool to simplify – simplify color, values, tones, temperature! And it’s a fantastic way to see things not as they appear!