Customer Reviews

Painting the Impressionist Landscape: Lessons in Interpreting Light and Color

5 star:		(52)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Any painter who wishes to see the light through the eyes of the impressionist masters will most certainly want to purchase this outstanding book. Written by Lois Griffel, Director of the Cape Cod School of Art, founded by Charles Hawthorne and continued by his disciple, Henry Hensche, PAINTING THE IMPRESSIONIST LANDSCAPE will gratify both the beginner and the advanced student. In her book, Lois Griffel, herself a master teacher, provides a theoretical framework for simple, practical exercises designed to develop in the student an understanding of how light affects the world of color around him. Of special interest are the block studies from where the artist begins his journey, first observing the effects of light on simple rectangular forms on sunny and cloudy days; then on to the rounded half tones of still life; on to the nuances of the portrait; and, finally, to painting out of doors where the artist is gradually empowered to see and understand the dazzling effects of light on the landscape. PAINTING THE IMPRESSIONIST LANDSCAPE is an outstanding book, profusely illustrated with Lois Griffel's own beautiful work as well as the work of other fine painters of this school. I treasure this book and am grateful to Lois Griffel for having written it. Bernice Ruth Winston

Griffel's book has opened up a new world of painting for me. Returning from a trip to Paris I was inspired by the works of the great French impressionists and wanted to learn the basics of their style of painting. This book is a two part course in painting - the first section covers basic color theory and the second walks you through step-by-step excersises to learn to apply the techniques. My landscapes have taken on a whole new look and I'm looking forward to a workshop with Griffel in the coming year.

Artists are always striving to increase their understanding of light and the way it affects color.In her book, Lois Griffel presents straightforward and concise ways to do this. Following her directions for painting studies of colored blocks in different lighting conditions, I learned more about seeing color than I ever possibly could have on my own. Seeing the way she and others who studied with Henry Hensche at the Cape Cod School of Art bring their work to brilliant life helps me to see more and more of the light possibilities in my own work.As I go outdoors to paint the landscape now, I think back to my studies from this book, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to absorb these teachings. Thank you, Ms. Griffel!!!!!!

If you want to advance your understanding of color theory; if you want to improve your ability to see and render the effects of light on your subjects; and if you want to create better paintings, then Lois Griffel's book, "Painting the Impressionist Landscape", is just what the art-doctor ordered. For me, Lois Griffel opened the door to new ways of perceiving the world before me, and through her instruction, I discovered more sensitive and rewarding ways to express myself through my painting.

In this book "the subject is Light"; and it serves to unlock some of the mystery of the sophisticated manipulation of color by revered Impressionist Painters (like Monet). Ms. Griffel, herself a master painter and gifted teacher, presents a methodical series of lessons to guide student-artists to a heightened awareness of light, and a more effective use of color in their own painting. Each lesson is appropriately illustrated with examples of paintings in various stages of development for further understanding of the advanced ideas set forth in each chapter.

"Painting the Impressionist Landscape" is not so much a "how to paint" book, as it is a "how to see color/light, understand it, and paint it" book. It is not a book for easy reading. It is a workbook for those who want to work at seeing and painting better. This book is a masterpiece and a must for advanced artists and serious beginners alike.

I picked up this book expecting a "how to" on painting like the French Impressionists. I found much more. This book leads you on a journey of discovery of fundamental color theories and applications pertinent to all styles of painting. I've read over 50 art instruction books in recent years. This is the one I've dogeared and dribbled with paint. I rate Lois Griffel's book with John F. Carlson's for clarity and usefulness. It helped me put together so much I had read elsewhere and added tremedously to my understanding and appreciation of art. Inspired, I've been moved to finally jump from reading about painting to actually doing it. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

I hate to write negative reviews and people hate to read them; just look at the customer relevance ratings for 3 star and lesser reviews compared to over the top 5 star reviews, but Griffel's book is a proverbial "tale of two cities". On the one hand the author includes an abundance of paintings rendered mostly in atmospheric palette knife technique, and on the other hand her text deals with subjective issues and questionable exercises more appropriately found in a basic drawing text. Potential customers are likely to purchase this book based upon the paintings thinking there will be at least a modicum of technique or demonstration as to how they were painted... and they will be disappointed.

To be fair the actual title of the book after the colon is "Lessons in Interpreting Light and Color", and the bulk of the book does talk about light and color. However, a lesson is supposed to teach something and there are very few conclusions rendered by the author. She seems fixated on her block studies like they're some sort of stone tablets handed down by the art god's when, in fact, they're just glorified value/temperature exercises that have no special relevance to the impressionistic landscape any more than they might have to still life or portraiture. Additionally, she employs an extended palette which, in my opinion, is an anathema to the impressionistic approach. There's not much meat here and what is has very little to do with landscape painting. If you want to acquire the book for examples of a particular style of work, then it might be worth the cost and does provide useful "models" to emulate in your own painting. But, if you want a treatise on how and why she painted the way she did; it isn't here. Since Ms. Griffel teaches painting at her "Cape Cod School of Art" I would suspect one would have to enroll to learn her technique. Again, possibly a worthwhile purchase for examples, but little in the way of information.

I can recommend four contemporary books in lieu of this one that, while not specific to impressionism, can teach you more about landscape painting in a few hours than this one could in a lifetime. I would suggest "Landscape Painting" by Mitchell Abala, ""Landscape" by Richard McDaniel, "The Painterly Approach" by Bob Rohm, or "Landscape Painting Inside and Out" by Kevin Macpherson. All four have an instructional orientation, provide numerous demos and advocate a basic palette. While they are in many ways different, they're compatible and leave the reader with a strong sense of the fundamentals in approaching a landscape project. In a word they're complimentary rather than contradictory and in my opinion represent a significant step up from the material contained in this book.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced painter PAINTING THE IMPRESSIONIST LANDSCAPE is a must read. Ms Griffel jumps right into color theory and makes it easy to comprehend and to follow along. This theory is applied to still life painting and then takes what you have just learned and applies it landscapes.

If you cannot take a course with Ms Griffel at the Cape Cod School of Art, then following her book in the step by step process is the next best thing.

This is a wonderful book. Ms.Griffel is not only a brilliant impressionist painter, she is a gifted teacher. Inspiring examples and clearly written explainations guide both novice and advanced painters in selecting and working with color in the landscape. I have referred to this book over and over again as I paint. I always find new and unusual color combinations, as well as tips for painting outdoors in varying light conditions. I can highly recommend this book to any painter who wants to take their love of color to a new level.

This book is one that I will have forever and refer to daily. Ms. Griffel explains very clearly how to really paint in the true impressionistic technique, which is interpreting the effects of light. The book gives you the tools to see color and sets up lessons for you to explore and understand how light effects objects. I think anyone who wants to paint in the true impressionistic style has to have the knowledge this book imparts to be successful. Along with explaining the effects of light on objects, Mr. Griffel also imparts the importance of values and structure in painting. Simply a must for every serious artist, also for anyone who wants to understand the effect of light and color.

Lois Griffel's "Painting the Impressionist Landscape" is very simply a must have for the library of anyone interested in using color to capture their surroundings in paint, anyone interested in bringing their work to a new level. Of the many books on my shelf this is the one that I would not do without. Lois Griffel has demystified a painting process, made it easy to understand and given us a way to practice it, the oft' dreaded block studies. She has successfully fulfilled her stewardship of the Cape Cod School started by Charles Hawthorne and developed by Henry Hensche. She is a great teacher who should be read and studied by anyone interested in color, especially painters both experienced and beginner alike. Many of today's greatest painters studied with Hensche. The rest of us can get a touch of the training here. Great book! Thank you Lois Griffel.