Hello all, today it’s Björn hosting MTB again. I thought we would continue our journey through the world of art and try to paint with words like an art movement. Today I would like us to look deeper into impressionism. Today impressionist art is one of the most loved ones. We have learned to love the light brushstrokes, the technique of blurring the edges. Maybe hinting rather than being exact.
Impressionism has always been seen as a French movement with artists like Monet, Renoir and Cezanne. At first the audience were hesitant and their ideas were thought to be too radical. Today I think that impressionism has become the essence of good art, and the works of impressionism has found their way into our homes. There is something so comforting in the lightness of colors and shapes.
So let us study their techniques:
- They use short, thick strokes of paint quickly to capture the essence of the subject, rather than its details.
- Colors are applied side-by-side with as little mixing as possible in opaque fields, producing contrasts of vivid colors.
- Wet paint is painted on top of wet paint blurring the edges.
- Grays and dark tones are produced by mixing complementary colours. They avoided the use of black paint. Impressionists always started from a light background.
- Wet paint is placed into wet paint without waiting for successive applications to dry, producing softer edges and intermingling of colour.
- The play of natural light is emphasized, with special attention to reflection. The preferred light is that of dawn or twilight.
- They preferred painting in the open air. Bring in the nature.
This resulted in a freshness that had not been seen previously, and despite the modernism and abstract paintings that have followed since I do not think that impressionism has ceased to be popular.
So now it’s your challenge to capture these ideas in poetry. What would a short thick stroke correspond to in words, or a bright color?
I would try to use poems written in separate pieces that capture moments or images. Maybe you can try to use the technique of list poetry. I would like you to use images from nature, maybe clear nocturnal skies. Add some people, maybe food of wine. Now from these small images create a scene. Avoid darkness, and include some laughter. Color them, not only by the name of colors, but rather use objects with a clear hue.
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
Happy thursday… bring all your color words and paint me a poem… 🙂
lillian said:
Happy Thursday! LOVE these art form prompts. I chose a photograph that reminded me of Impressionism rather than an actual painting to illustrate my words. So fun to paint with words!
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
I really enjoy diving into the technique of art and see how that can be translated into poetry… sometimes it’s like reinventing poetry….
Glenn Buttkus said:
I included many blurred edges, many primary colors, some levity, some darkness–several stanza brush strokes; we’ll have to see if it measures up. I love your description of what you’re seeking. Can’t wait to see what the others come up with.
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
I really enjoy how you can translate art and artistic technique into words…. and impressionism felt natural to have.
Grace said:
An interesting challenge Bjorn and one that I will add in my toolbox.
Thanks for hosting and Happy MTB Thursday to all !
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
I will continue to dive into artistic techniques…. I’m sure we can learn from other art forms and translate to words.
Victoria C. Slotto said:
Way back when I did a prompt using Dadaism…that was weird.
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
Yes dada is one of the art movements I will refrain from doing… (I think we’ve had it more than once actually)
welshstream said:
Great post Bjorn and always loved using art and its forms as a basis for new poems!
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
Thank you… sometimes there was art movements together with poetry movements… but I really like to see how we can tie the technique of painting into words.
kim881 said:
Happy Thursday, Bjorn, Grace and Lillian! I’m afraid I can’t stay around for long this evening as I have various things to do, but I will be back in the morning. I hope you’re keeping warm – apparently our lovely temperatures are about to plummet over the weekend. I can already feel a chill in the air.
I’m not sure if I have fulfilled all the criteria for an impressionist poem, but I’ve given it my best shot. i’ll have a quick read and then be off. have a great time at the pub!
By the way, there is a new photo prompt over at Peeking Cat Poetry and I submitted a poem today, which is up on the site. Some of you might be up for this too:
http://peekingcatpoetrymagazine.blogspot.co.uk/
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
Happy evening Kim, and hope you are off to something fun 🙂
kim881 said:
Training videos for exam moderation 😦
frankhubeny said:
Thanks for hosting, Bjorn. I’ve added my attempt at a color poem. I hope it fits the impressionism theme. It has bright white colors in it and some sad-cloud gray.
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
I think white is an excellent canvas and there are shades of white too…
Singledust said:
I am looking forward to immersing myself into this challenge, a very interesting and looks like fun concept , using art and poetry to paint a picture. Looking at these type of paintings always remind me of walking after the rain thinking the colours will run and smear with the droplets. Thanks for hosting.
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
I agree.. sometimes it’s like watching a landscape through a window glazed with rain.
paul scribbles said:
Evening bar…challenging write tonight…but one I hope I have managed to rise to…will do some reading and commenting soon.
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
Love that I can provide a challenge.
paul scribbles said:
Yep…made me think but took me off in an interesting direction towards a new discovery.
Kathy Reed said:
I look forward to the prompts combining writing with art or photographs! Not sure I put enough color in but it was something I wanted to write about. Thanks…on my out to read some lovely poems.
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
I’m glad you like these prompts… sometimes it helps me to think new when it comes to the use of words.
Victoria C. Slotto said:
I was very excited about this prompt, Bjorn, and hope it helps me to break out of the poetic ennui I’ve experienced of late for a myriad of reasons. Thank you.
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
I’m glad it helped you.. it actually helped me too, writing about something lighter and easier.
annell4 said:
There is a film, The Tree of Life. The most impressionism film I have seen. Until the very last scenes.
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
Now you make me curious of the last scenes.
Victoria C. Slotto said:
Oh yes, I remember that!
erbiage said:
Good challenge, Bjorn. Brings me back to Baudelaire. Took a long time to wring this one out of me.
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
Ha.. yes Baudelaire would be a good place to start…
ladynyo said:
Ahhh…I don’t know if my poem or painting fits this prompt….but it does to me…in a different way. I presented one of my watercolor paintings….fluid, which to me is impressionism in one way….and the poem? Well, it’s a take on mythology….and it concerned the sea…hence the painting above it. However, it’s kind of a complicated poem and I’m just guessing here as to whether it fits. It does to me, but today, I am very weirded out by a 97 year old pathological narcissist who makes no sense at all. Thanks, Bjorn…for the prompt. It sounds like a good one, but I just might not be up to the challenge.
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
I love anything shared, and it is really open to interpretation
ladynyo said:
well, I think I missed the bar on this one. Perhaps it was inevitable. Thanks, Bjorn, you are very gracious.
Truedessa said:
I tried my hand at this, but not sure how I did. In any case it was fun! Thanks for the challenge.
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
Thank you Tuedessa.. it’s fun if it inspires.
Mish said:
I enjoyed this challenge very much. Will be back tomorrow to read the colourful interpretations and responses! 🙂
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
Lots of goood color that I have seen so far.
The Grateful Dead said:
Wow! What a challenge! Had me fumbling with the exact shades of colors to paint the perfect picture. My 4 year old looked on in surprise as I sat with his crayons spread out in front of me! 🙂
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
What a great scene borrowing the crayons..
The Grateful Dead said:
Hehe 🙂
sarahsouthwest said:
Interesting. Really looking forward to reading these. I’m not sure I’ve met the brief, but I enjoyed the challenge.
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
I think using the challenge is the most important one
Colin Lee said:
Thanks, Bjorn! I’ve learned a lot. Tried my hands on it but not quite there with the idea yet…
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
Thank you, learning is one of my purpose with the prompt
petrujviljoen said:
I did some research about literary impressionism and was interested to see Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness posed as a prime example of literary impressionism. Notes I made from various sources include: ‘subjectivity of experience’; broken sentences, lack of logical syntax; a literary style that seeks to capture a feeling rather than to achieve accurate depiction; the expression of a highly sensitive and nervous experience of life.
I haven’t written yet and probably will need to take time over it so I’ll aim for the next OLN. Looking forward to giving it a try. Impressionism isn’t my favourite style of painting, preferring Expressionism, Realism and Abstraction before Impressionism.
paul scribbles said:
Wow…interesting stuff petrujviljoen….might be worth another visit bearing this in mind….still some reading and commenting to do but life pulls me elsewhere for today…i’ll be back on it tomorrow…such colourful writes so far everyone.
petrujviljoen said:
I hope to do justice to the research Paul. I’m doing further research regarding format.
paul scribbles said:
I look forward to reading what you create.
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
Yes I think the broken sentences and lack of syntax works like those brushstrokes
Bekkie Sanchez said:
Late, but I made it! Didn’t want to miss this one I liked the sound of it and hope I painted a fine impression of a poem. Can’t wait to read the others (give me a little time.) Nice prompt, Bjorn.
I hope everyone has a nice weekend! Big group hug!
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
Great to have you here.. still plenty of time
Bekkie Sanchez said:
I know you’ve been busy so thanks, Bjorn!
rugby843 said:
I was curious to attempt this. I’m not sure if I “got it”? Please let me know.
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
Welcome to dVerse.. I will check out, but there is no right or wrong.
rosross said:
I am not sure I met the theme, but I did try.
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
TRying and getting inspired is what’s important
paul scribbles said:
After i wrote for this prompt I sent a message to the artist to thank him for the inspiration and linked the poem in the email…this morning i got this response.
Hello Paul
That’s fantastic, thanks very much. You really made my day and it’s lovely to see those words match some of the thoughts I had while I was painting this.
If you are happy I would love to share this on my Facebook page.
Kind regards
Marcus
Fantastic huh? Today is catch up day so comments coming soon folks.
memadtwo said:
Too late to link, but a good prompt for me…thanks!
purplepeninportland said:
Too late, but here: https://purplepeninportland.wordpress.com/2017/03/19/boating-party-with-monet/
annell4 said:
I am late. I have been out of town.
Here is my poem:
Impressionism/ The Theory of The Refraction and Optical Blending of Colors
i hold the shell in my hand press it into the sand remove the shell
an impression remains in the sand though the shell is removed it is recreated in my mind
the scene is hazy no sharp edges shapes seem to dance
bleed into each other is it a dream a thought/a memory
bright sunny summer days lunch in a seaside cafe people in colorful striped swim suits
running into the water falling into the waves disappear
joie de vivie
the sound of voices laughter & screams seagulls cry
shore birds strut up & down the beach “life out of doors”
sunday at the beach reflections on the water flash women & children
collecting shells beach balls/sand buckets colorful umbrellas
March 19, 2017
litosjart said:
Bjorn,
Great piece about impressionism…..one thing I find challenging on my work, which leans heavily towards the side of impressionism, is how to define the thin line between abstraction and defining forms and shapes. Wonder if the impressionist masters also has the same struggle?
Lito
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
Maybe we need to step back and read our poetry from a distance…