Chosen time period: Impressionism - 1867, 1886 - 98

Chosen artist to forge from: Claude Monet

Key aspects of time period/artist

During the Impressionist period, which lasted from mid 19th to late 19th century, many artists
emphasized the beautiful flow of contour. This led to the use of beautiful
colors, where artists separated unique colors together to create a piece of art that seemed to
resemble nature, and depict natural light.

Claude Monet was one of the most influential painters of this movement. The “Sunrise”, made in
1872, the “Waterlily Pond” in 1899, and the “San Giorgio Maggiore at Dusk” made in 1908 were
a few notable examples in his large caliber of paintings. Each painting was beautiful and vividly
coloured. As the website “Claude-Monet” would describe it: “It would result in a stunning and
unique property, which included the most exciting garden - designed by the artist.”(Claude-
Monet, n.d). His technique consists of using only pure, simple primary colors, applying a layer of
primer that helps resemble the reflection of light, and finishing with light strokes and touch.
Street Art Museum Tours described his technique as “Groundbreaking. [The] method involved
applying small dabs of pure, unblended color directly onto the canvas.” (Street Art Museum
Tours, 2023) This “formula” helped define the homogenous nature of his artwork (Many of his
artworks look the same, just applied in different contexts).
The inspiration to draw “Water Lily Pond” was inspired from Japanese art about nature.
Specifically, Monet chose to replicate the “The Tenjin shrine at Kameido”. Monet admired the
Japanese’s way of drawing, even describing the Japanese as “a profoundly artistic people, I
finally found something that struck me” (Tucker, 1998, p. 184)

Letter of intent,

Dear Black Market Client,

I have a broad and large clientele, and for good reason. Criminals of all sizes and caliber flock
to my paintings just to observe the magnificence and intricateness of my arts. You see, I am not
like other con artists, I am simply different, and you can expect quality and indistinguishable
difference from real paintings, guaranteed.

I will be recreating the famous Claude Monet “Waterlily Pond” made in 1899. The popularity of
this artwork will allow us to sell the art at skyrocket prices. To understand how Monet's art is
being replicated to the highest degree of standards, we must understand how that art was to be
in the first place. After the Baroque period, painting became more reflective, more tranquil.
Many artists elaborated upon the flow of color. As they blended simple contour with vivid and
bright colors. It was accompanied with beautiful, lush imagery of nature. Creating a piece of
artwork that resembled a tranquil scenery of nature and vivid colors, binding the latter to create
artwork which they called “impressionism”.
Claude Monet is often considered one of the most influential founding impressionist artists
among the others of his time including: “Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Camille Pissarro, Alfred Sisley,
Edgar Degas, and Berthe Morisot.” (Britannica, 2024). In fact, Claude Monet transformed the
way France painted in the late 19th century. Throughout his long career in France, Monet
painted landscapes and leisurely careers, creating the iconic homogenous nature of his artwork.
His paintings quickly became the centerpiece of French art because the paintings conveyed an
art style that was not seen before at the time."a glorious chapter to add to our history of French
art"(Tucker, 1998, p. 185). And also quoted “It wouldn’t be so wrong saying that famous Monet
Paintings largely influenced the development of what we call Modern Art.” (Lorenzo Pereira,
2016)

Our chosen technique will ensure that all of this is taken into account.

For our brush strokes, we will use short, small dabs that will create texture. Will will not blend
these colors directly onto the canvas. For our colors, we will use simple primary colors to create
different blends of color. Still following with ensuring that the painting is vivid. Additionally, to
paint the tranquil scenery of nature, we will capture the lights' effects on the scenery. Ensuring
smooth and complex light rays. For our contour, we will skillfully paint, one over another for
blend, but also realism.

As we recreate the Water Lily Pond, by Claude Monet, we will use brush stroke techniques
above. We will also apply a layer of white primer over our painting to achieve the same effect as
Claude Monet, as he did the same. This ensures that our painting is vivid and bright, allowing
the viewer to see the different layers and contour. Instead of directly blending our colors, we will
add a small variety of primary colors. To paint the trees in the background, we will use small
dabs with the brush, following with a lighter yellow outline around to bring out the outermost
leaves. For the bridge, we will switch to a fine brush, also ensuring that the color is replicated to
a cool gray. We will also merge some green with the bridge railing to achieve the same look of
disorganization such as Claude Monet had.
;_;

Research chosen:

Primary Resources for Research:

Books:

Tucker, P. H. (1998). Claude Monet: Life and art. Yale University Press. Retrieved from
https://archive.org/details/claudemonet00paul

***I used this book primarily because it was online and available. The 3 books below are
valuable resources but I still had trouble obtaining them**

“Claude Monet: Masterpieces of Impressionism” – Available at the Calgary Library under the
700s section.

“Monet” By Bartolena, Simona - Available at the Calgary Library (Dewey Decimal System: J
759. 4 MON M)
Book covers biography, paintings that are ordered chronologically, historic events, information
about technique
“Monet's Impressions, Words and Pictures By Monet, Claude, 1840-1926 - Available at the
Calgary Public Library (Dewey Decimal System: J 759. 4 MON M)

Online Resources:

Smarthistory – “Impressionism” overview. From smarthistory.org.

https://smarthistory.org/a-beginners-guide-to-impressionism/
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/438008

Metropolitan Museum of Art – Timeline and examples of Monet's works. From

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/438008
metmuseum.org/toah.

—-------------------------
The 2 above aren't necessarily citations but I got a lot of small details from it

“The Most Famous Claude Monet Paintings Everybody Adores.” Widewalls,

www.widewalls.ch/magazine/monet-paintings. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

The Water Lily Pond, 1899 by Claude Monet. Claude Monet. (n.d.). https://www.claude-
monet.com/the-water-lily-pond.jsp

Claude Monet and his color theory mastery. Street Art Museum Tours. (n.d.).
https://streetartmuseumtours.com/en-ca/blogs/blog/claude-monet-and-his-color-theory-mastery?
srsltid=AfmBOop0u7rxoMhaUUT99hLtYXWfAuGfL0dM1Y267sl64FZ5E97vROUj

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Impressionism". Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Nov.

2024, https://www.britannica.com/art/Impressionism-art. Accessed 19 November 2024.