Since I’ve learned his simple Impressionistic technique from my mentor, I’ve realized that this “Nouveau Impressionist” way, as I like to call it, embodies more than just the loosest Impressionistic style. (For example, see “Marsh Madness” to left and “Garden Path” – featured post image above.)

Being kind of a “neat freak” and liking things in order with my left brain, yet loving the creative flow and looseness of the right-brained more Impressionist style, I have realized that there is really not a whole lot of space between moving from one style of painting to the next. What I mean is that by “tidying up” the edges and some of the details in an Impressionist style of painting, it can become more of a Representational style of art. It seems I prefer much of this neater look yet love the energy that comes from the looseness of Impressionism. It seems I naturally combine aspects of my paintings with both these styles. (See “The Good Life” as an example of Representational aspects in this Nouveau Impressionist style.)

Knowing how to create the effects with paint and light and colors, with areas of emphasis and other areas pushed to the background, you can choose to take a painting all the way to Realism should you desire. That is where every detail looks like a photograph and it’s hard to believe this is truly a painting. It is the “neatest” cleaned-up style of painting of the three. It actually calls you in close to examine the details to make sure it really has been masterfully painted. I love creating these effects in some areas, like the dewdrops on a flower petal, or the hairs standing out starkly on a white orchid against a dark background.

Yet I still create most paintings in the “Nouveau Impressionist” style I’ve developed myself over time. It seems a place I can live with and be happy in my art without the right and left sides of my brain fighting too much either way!

For more on how I’ve developed this style over time and my challenges with the looseness of the true Impressionist way, check out “Developing My Nouveau Impressionistic Style.”