Learn How to Paint with BPBN in the Style of Monet

Claude Monet is a staple name in the art world and many artists and even non-artists know his name. Known for his fleeting scenarios of landscapes in the Impressionist style, Monet is a one-of-a-kind master painter. Monet and his fellow Impressionists aimed to show life in a way that had never been done before. Color and the light that generated it was in the front of the image in the Impressionist style.

Human characters and legendary narratives took a back seat, and the way the sun or moon showered objects in various sorts of light became crucial. Monet's approach was crucial to this trend, as the painter strove to depict colors and brightness in new and inventive ways. His desire to capture this aspect of art led him to become one of the most respected and beloved artists in Central Europe, and eventually the world.

With Monet’s incredible artistry and impeccable painting skills, it is no wonder why Impressionism became one of the most sought-after art movements in the world until this day. Moreover, many people are curious about how to paint in the style of Monet. So in this article, let's have an in-depth exploration of Monet and his style of painting in this new episode of Learn How to Paint With BPBN blog. Keep on reading this article to know more!

Monet, influenced in part by Édouard Manet, explored with free technique, strong color, and stunningly unexpected landscapes, departing from the clear representation of forms and linear perspective mandated by traditional paintings of the period. In his paintings, the focus switched from showing persons to depicting various aspects of illumination and mood in each subject.

Being one of the most followed Impressionist artists, how to paint in the style of Monet has become one of the most asked questions on the internet recently. Let’s learn more about the artist and his painting style below.

Who is Claude Monet?

Knowing how to paint in the style of Monet requires knowing the life of the artist to further understand him.

Claude Monet was a French painter who was a key figure in the impressionist movement. His works were well-known all over the globe. Monet was born in Paris in 1840. His father ran a shipping firm, while his mother looked after the family. Monet and his family relocated to Le Havre when he was five years old, where he attended school.

Because the boy was often outside, his ability for sketching emerged at a young age. Monet returned to Paris to learn painting in 1859. He met prominent painters of the time, like Renoir and Sisley, while there. He started exploring painting outdoors and nature with them.

He was an influencer and a trailblazer among the Impressionists, luring Camille Pissarro, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Édouard Manet, and Alfred Sisley to collaborate in and around Paris. Between 1874 to 1886, he was also instrumental in founding the exhibition society that would highlight the collective's art.

Monet honed his nascent ability as a youngster through charcoal sketches, and it wasn't until he met tutor Eugéne Boudin that he started to paint with oil. This noteworthy method is what launched Monet's brilliant career. Monet's early approach is seen in his first famous art, Camile and The Woman in the Garden.

Monet's exceptionally long life and vast artistic production are commensurate with the magnitude of his present appeal. Impressionism, of which he is a cornerstone, remains one of the most popular creative movements, as proven by the immense popularity of art prints, stamps, and posters. Of course, Monet's paintings attract high valuations, and some are regarded as invaluable; in fact, Monet's art is housed in every major collection around the globe.

How to Paint in the Style of Monet: Learn the Artist’s Color Palette

Monet's famous use of color is inextricably tied to his use of lighting. The artist enjoyed expressing color in fresh and innovative ways, which was largely shaped by the various appearances of objects according to the fleeting moments of the day. Monet's use of color was diverse as a result of his study, which included both night and day. His use of dark tones was frequently used to showcase his use of vibrant colors.

Monet's work garnered such negative criticism because he broke the standards of artistic depiction, notably concerning his utilization of color. His art was shaped largely by the Japanese woodblock print tradition. His colors were unaltered, and this choice added another dimension to his shadowing. Unlike previous landscape artists, Monet preferred to use bright colors as a basis for his paintings rather than the typical dark primers.

The most common colors used by Monet were: Winsor Yellow, Viridian, Cadmium Red, Cerulean Blue, French Ultramarine, Raw Sienna, Titanium White, Alizarin Crimson, and Raw Umber.

A Beginner’s Guide to How to Paint in the Style of Monet

    1.  Paint en plein air:

After studying Monet’s life and his color palette, another important thing to consider if you wanna know how to paint in the style of Monet is his approach to the painting process. Monet, much like other Impressionist artists, preferred to paint en Plein air or paint outdoors. Painting en Plein air enabled painters to express the sensory, emotional, and behavioral characteristics of a certain location at a specific time.

As a result, it embodied a new vision of improvisation and sincerity to creative inspiration inside art. The continued appeal of 19th-century Plein air painting today - when contrasted, for instance, to academic historical paintings from the same era - demonstrates how the approach allowed painters to connect directly to spectators, without mental ploy.

    2.  Study Monet’s style of perspective in the canvas:

Monet abandoned the clear portrayal of shapes and the linear perspective. Monet's approach shifted significantly in his later years as he sought new ways to capture the influence of natural light on various landscapes. One example is his collection of paintings of Haystacks on his Giverny estate. The artist attempted to show that the shifting appearance of something as mundane as haystacks varies with the time of day.

What proceeded was a succession of paintings from various angles of the same items that were distinctive. His perspective and composition were dictated by established art at the time, and he played with loose, yet controlled brush strokes, vivid pigments, and shockingly unusual designs.

    3.  Use of light:

Even though this is not a classic Impressionist painting, Monet's appreciation of natural light can be observed in both of his first known works. Monet's early tonal range is perfectly displayed by the low-lighted dark tones of the Green Dress and the bright summer brightness of the Garden. Thus, he was able to depict the flow of time by painting in series and displaying how light influenced a specific matter.

Monet's expertise in color and light remains to captivate viewers today, his vast works testifying to the magnificent splendor of the actual world. To achieve brilliance and illumination in his artworks, Monet was very strategic in applying his pigments and brushwork: small, free brushstrokes of color were used to create the properties of light that are continually reflected in nature.

    4.  Imitate his brushwork:

Monet's brush stroke is a distinguishing aspect of his art. The style, refined during his profession, focuses on quick brushwork to capture light in uniquely portrayed Realism. For instance,  Monet's Impressionist brushstrokes are on full display in Sunrise.

The picture is of the port of Le Havre in France, and Monet's quick brush strokes are utilized to depict the dying sun's reflecting force on the softly darker sea. The only securely painted form in the picture is the brightly colored orange sun, and everything else ultimately depends on its position from this beam of sunshine.

Final Insights

What do you think about Monet and his captivating style of fleeting paintings? We hope that this article helped you learn how to paint in the style of Monet. Now, grab your brushes, oil paints, palette, and canvas because it’s time for you to apply what you’ve learned from this blog post. Have fun and enjoy the creative process!