Painting the Impressionist Landscape: Lessons in Interpreting Light and Color

I am always looking for oil painting books that will help to develop my skill level. I have been so disappointed in the past. This book is extraordinary. The author gets down to complete basics to really teach someone the fundamentals of painting in the Impressionist style. There are a series of exercises in the book where you learn to paint simple colored blocks. The rationale for this process is that you need to start with very simple shapes and master the color on those before you move to complex landscapes and such. The exercises seem a bit tedious, but I followed along with the book, and was amazed at how much I learned. The book gets very nitty gritty in its instruction....down to the level of what exact colors were used and why. And it really works. I have a whole library of art books, and I can easily say that this is my most educational book of all. I have learned more from this book then all of the others combined. Too often artists write books strictly for the money and fame, but they really don't want to tell you their methods. This woman is a true teacher. She is quite unafraid to share everything that she knows. I would love to meet her and tell her what a great influence she has been for me.

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.

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.

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!!!!!!

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