top of page

Impressionism: A Beginner’s Guide to Progress, Experimentation, and Creativity - Part One

Writer's picture: Sarah UnderhaySarah Underhay

Welcome to the Sunflower Artistry Blog: Breaking Barriers and Embracing Creativity

Welcome to the first post of the Sunflower Artistry blog! If you’re reading this, chances are you’re curious about art, eager to learn, or perhaps looking for a way to bring more creativity into your life. Whether you’re a complete beginner, someone who’s felt that art is “not for you,” or just looking for a fresh perspective, you’re in the right place.


 

Why This Blog Exists

Art can often feel intimidating. For centuries, it’s been wrapped in layers of jargon, exclusivity, and stereotypes. Terms like "aesthetic," "composition," and "juxtaposition" can sound alien if you're not used to them, making art seem like it’s only for the well-educated or upper classes. This stigma can discourage many people from even trying to explore their creative side.


At Sunflower Artistry, we believe art is for everyone. It’s not about fitting into an “elite” world; it’s about expression, experimentation, and joy. We want to break down these barriers and help you see that art is accessible, fun, and deeply personal.


Our blog will serve as a guide to explore art in a way that feels approachable and inclusive. Whether you’ve never picked up a paintbrush or you’re curious about the history of famous artists, we’re here to make art easy to understand and enjoyable to explore.


 
Claude Monet, Impression, Sunrise, public domain.
Claude Monet, Impression, Sunrise, public domain.

Why Impressionism is a Great Place to Start

If you’re new to art, Impressionism is one of the best styles to begin with. Known for its loose brushwork, focus on light, and capturing everyday moments, this style is forgiving, expressive, and perfect for experimenting without worrying about perfection. Here are some reasons why it’s ideal for beginners:


1. Managing Expectations

Impressionism is about capturing the essence of a scene rather than creating a photorealistic image. It encourages you to focus on progress over perfection. By working quickly and loosely, you’ll learn to let go of rigid expectations and enjoy the process of creating. For example, try setting a timer for 15 minutes and paint a simple subject like a flower or a teacup. Don’t aim for perfect details—capture the shapes, colours, and light quickly.


2. Room for Experimentation

Impressionist techniques often involve layering colours, playing with light, and exploring how brushstrokes can suggest movement or texture. These methods give you the freedom to try different approaches and discover what works for you. For example, take two colours (e.g., blue and white), and blend them directly on the canvas with a large brush to create soft gradients that mimic the changing light of a sunset.


3. Learning by Copying

It’s perfectly okay to copy famous Impressionist paintings as part of your learning process. By mimicking their techniques, you’ll gain a better understanding of colour, composition, and brushwork. Over time, this practice helps you gauge your progress and develop your own style. However, remember that copying is for educational purposes only—for personal use or learning. Copying to sell is not acceptable.


 
Claude Monet, Water Lilies, public domain
Claude Monet, Water Lilies, public domain

Impressionist Artist of the Week: Claude Monet

Claude Monet, often called the father of Impressionism, is a fantastic artist to explore as a beginner. His paintings, such as Water Lilies and Impression, Sunrise, showcase the movement’s key elements: vibrant colours, natural light, and loose brushstrokes. Monet’s work is celebrated for its ability to capture fleeting moments and evoke emotion, making it an ideal inspiration for those new to art.


Monet’s approach to painting was revolutionary. He often worked en plein air (outdoors), immersing himself in the environment to observe how natural light and colour interacted throughout the day. His famous Haystacks series demonstrates this beautifully, as it captures the same subject at different times and in varying lighting conditions. This focus on light and its ever-changing qualities is what sets his work apart.


Breaking Down Art Jargon: How to Describe Monet’s Work

  • Luminosity: Monet’s paintings glow with light. In simple terms, he used bright, layered colours to reflect natural light, creating a vibrant and dynamic effect.


  • Atmosphere: His work creates a mood or feeling, often tranquil or dreamlike, through soft transitions of colour and texture.


  • Brushwork: Monet’s strokes are loose and visible, giving his paintings energy and texture. These strokes may look chaotic up close but form a cohesive image when viewed from a distance.


  • Colour Harmony: He used complementary colours strategically to create balance and beauty, often adding unexpected pops of vibrant hues for a dreamlike quality.


Translated into plain English, Monet’s work captures the way light transforms a scene. He focused on moments like sunrise, sunset, or reflections on water, using loose and often “messy” strokes that come together to create something truly beautiful.


Key Techniques Monet Used


  1. Layering Colours: Monet built his paintings with thin layers of colour, allowing them to blend and create depth. Try layering blue and white to paint a glowing sky or blending greens and yellows to bring a garden to life.


  2. Broken Colour: Instead of blending smoothly, Monet placed small dabs of colour side by side. This creates a shimmering effect when viewed from a distance, as the eye naturally blends the colours. To practise this, paint water or foliage with short, varied strokes of colour.


  3. Capturing Movement: Monet’s brushstrokes often conveyed motion, such as ripples on water or the sway of leaves in the wind. When painting water, for example, use fluid strokes to mimic the movement of light and reflections.


  4. Bold Colour Choices: Monet wasn’t afraid to use vibrant blues, purples, and oranges in unexpected places. To try this, experiment with adding a complementary colour (like orange against blue) to make your painting pop.


Quick Exercise Inspired by Monet

Find a reflective surface like a pond, lake, or even a bowl of water. Observe how light interacts with the surface—notice how it shimmers, bends, and changes. Sketch or paint what you see using loose strokes and a minimal palette. Don’t aim for precision; instead, focus on capturing the light and colour. Remember, it’s about learning to observe, not getting it “right.”


Key Takeaway

Monet teaches us to observe the world with curiosity. Notice how light and colour transform the ordinary into something extraordinary. Use this inspiration to start your own journey, experimenting with layers, loose strokes, and unexpected colours to capture the essence of your subject.



 

Via Unsplash
Via Unsplash

Basic Materials to Get Started

You don’t need expensive supplies to begin your Impressionist journey. Here’s a simple list to get started:


  • Paints: A basic set of acrylic or watercolour paints (include primary colours, white, and black).


  • Brushes: A variety of brush sizes, including flat and round brushes.


  • Canvas or Paper: Affordable canvases or thick watercolour paper.


  • Palette: A reusable plastic palette or even a plate for mixing colours.


  • Rag or Paper Towels: For cleaning brushes or blotting paint.


  • Easel (Optional): If you prefer painting upright.


A Note on Paint Types

Monet himself used oil paints, which were the traditional medium for Impressionist artists. Oils provide a rich texture and vibrant colour, but they require more time to dry and more careful handling. For beginners, acrylic paints are an excellent alternative—they’re versatile, fast-drying, and easier to clean up.


Acrylics come in two main forms: tube paints and free-flowing paints. Tube paints are thicker and ideal for creating bold, textured strokes (we will explore 'bodies' in a later blog). They’re great if you want to experiment with techniques like impasto, where the paint is applied thickly to create dimension.


Free-flowing acrylics, which often come in bottles, are more liquid in consistency. These are perfect for smooth blending, creating washes, or layering colours with ease.


I personally prefer working with free-flowing acrylics for our classes for their versatility and ease of use. They allow for greater fluidity in brushstrokes, making them an excellent choice for capturing the loose, dynamic feel of Impressionist art. Both types of acrylics have their strengths, so feel free to experiment and see which works best for your style.


You can also grab a great value kit from me!




 


Your First Challenge

This week, try recreating Monet’s Water Lilies or create your own interpretation inspired by it. For example, in the piece above, I incorporated playful, modern elements—a whimsical cat swimming among the lily pads—to make the artwork personal and fun. This demonstrates how Impressionist techniques can be adapted to tell new stories while practicing the same principles of light, colour, and movement.


Use loose brushstrokes and blend colours naturally on your canvas. Don’t worry about copying perfectly; instead, focus on capturing the overall feeling and mood. Remember, it’s about the process, not the outcome!


If you take part in this challenge and send in your creations before the next blog is published, you’ll be entered into a draw to win a little something from me! Please note, by submitting your images, you agree to allow me to share them on this blog or social meia. I don’t have to include your name when sharing unless you’d like me to. Please send via email info@sunflowerartiustry.co.uk, via Facebook @Sunflowerartistryuk or WhatsApp 07468522463


 


The Modern Take: Landscape Artist of the Year

If you’re looking for more inspiration, the Sky Arts series Landscape Artist of the Year offers a fantastic window into how contemporary artists interpret different styles, including Impressionism. The show challenges artists to create stunning landscape paintings in just four hours at various scenic locations around the UK.


In a recent episode set at Hampton Court Palace, several artists employed techniques reminiscent of the Impressionist movement. For example, Ben McGregor, who won the heat, used loose brushwork and a vibrant colour palette to capture the essence of the scene. His painting focused on light and atmosphere, much like the principles championed by Claude Monet.


Watching how modern artists incorporate Impressionist techniques can inspire your own journey. It’s a reminder that capturing light, colour, and emotion is timeless, and there’s no right or wrong way to approach it. You can find episodes of the show on Sky Arts or their website if you’d like to see these artists in action.


Why not watch an episode and try a 15-minute timed painting session inspired by what you see? It’s a great way to challenge yourself and practice capturing the essence of a scene quickly.


Artwork by Ben McGregor
Artwork by Ben McGregor
 

Why Art Matters for Everyone

Art is so much more than painting a pretty picture. It’s a way to:


  • Relax and De-stress: Art can quiet the noise of modern life, giving you a chance to escape and focus.


  • Explore and Experiment: You don’t have to be perfect; you just need to be willing to try.


  • Discover Your Unique Style: No one sees the world exactly like you do, and art is a fantastic way to express that.


 



A Fresh Start, Every Week

This blog is about starting small and building up. We’ll encourage you to:


  • Ask questions, no matter how basic they might feel.

  • Try new things, even if they’re outside your comfort zone.

  • Find joy in the process, not just the end result.


So, grab a cup of tea, a pencil, or a paintbrush, and let’s embark on this journey together. Art is a world of endless possibilities, and we’re here to help you explore it one step at a time.

Next week, we’ll continue exploring Impressionism and set another creative challenge to inspire you. Stay tuned!


Thank you for joining us on this adventure. Let’s break down those barriers and rediscover what it means to create.

25 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments

Rated 0 out of 5 stars.
No ratings yet

Add a rating

Unlimited Videos and Online Classes for £5 - Join Sunflower Club

bottom of page