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.
Happy thursday… bring all your color words and paint me a poem… 🙂
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!
I really enjoy diving into the technique of art and see how that can be translated into poetry… sometimes it’s like reinventing poetry….
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.
I really enjoy how you can translate art and artistic technique into words…. and impressionism felt natural to have.
An interesting challenge Bjorn and one that I will add in my toolbox.
Thanks for hosting and Happy MTB Thursday to all !
I will continue to dive into artistic techniques…. I’m sure we can learn from other art forms and translate to words.
Way back when I did a prompt using Dadaism…that was weird.
Yes dada is one of the art movements I will refrain from doing… (I think we’ve had it more than once actually)
Great post Bjorn and always loved using art and its forms as a basis for new poems!
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.
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/
Happy evening Kim, and hope you are off to something fun 🙂
Training videos for exam moderation 😦
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.
I think white is an excellent canvas and there are shades of white too…
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.
I agree.. sometimes it’s like watching a landscape through a window glazed with rain.
Evening bar…challenging write tonight…but one I hope I have managed to rise to…will do some reading and commenting soon.
Love that I can provide a challenge.
Yep…made me think but took me off in an interesting direction towards a new discovery.
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.
I’m glad you like these prompts… sometimes it helps me to think new when it comes to the use of words.
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.
I’m glad it helped you.. it actually helped me too, writing about something lighter and easier.
There is a film, The Tree of Life. The most impressionism film I have seen. Until the very last scenes.
Now you make me curious of the last scenes.
Oh yes, I remember that!
Good challenge, Bjorn. Brings me back to Baudelaire. Took a long time to wring this one out of me.
Ha.. yes Baudelaire would be a good place to start…
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.
I love anything shared, and it is really open to interpretation
well, I think I missed the bar on this one. Perhaps it was inevitable. Thanks, Bjorn, you are very gracious.
I tried my hand at this, but not sure how I did. In any case it was fun! Thanks for the challenge.
Thank you Tuedessa.. it’s fun if it inspires.
I enjoyed this challenge very much. Will be back tomorrow to read the colourful interpretations and responses! 🙂
Lots of goood color that I have seen so far.
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! 🙂
What a great scene borrowing the crayons..
Hehe 🙂
Interesting. Really looking forward to reading these. I’m not sure I’ve met the brief, but I enjoyed the challenge.
I think using the challenge is the most important one
Thanks, Bjorn! I’ve learned a lot. Tried my hands on it but not quite there with the idea yet…
Thank you, learning is one of my purpose with the prompt
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.
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.
I hope to do justice to the research Paul. I’m doing further research regarding format.
I look forward to reading what you create.
Yes I think the broken sentences and lack of syntax works like those brushstrokes
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!
Great to have you here.. still plenty of time
I know you’ve been busy so thanks, Bjorn!
I was curious to attempt this. I’m not sure if I “got it”? Please let me know.
Welcome to dVerse.. I will check out, but there is no right or wrong.
I am not sure I met the theme, but I did try.
TRying and getting inspired is what’s important
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.
Too late to link, but a good prompt for me…thanks!
https://methodtwomadness.wordpress.com/2017/03/19/water-lilies-revisited/
Too late, but here: https://purplepeninportland.wordpress.com/2017/03/19/boating-party-with-monet/
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
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
Maybe we need to step back and read our poetry from a distance…