Styles & Periods

• Artists
• Styles & Periods
• Associations
• Glossary
• Projects
• Purchase Guides

Tonalism

Tonalism was a style found in American painting of the late 19th century which often emphasized the atmospheric and ambient conditions of a scene. Related to the development of the observations of light of the Impressionists a few years later, Tonalists, such as George Inness, depicted nature in a soft, subjective manner, apparently removed from the grand statements in landscape of the Hudson River Painters before him. Intimate and delicate tableaus typify his work. Much of James McNeill Whistler's work also typifies the Tonalist style, notably Nocturne in Black and Gold, the Falling Rocket. Pictorial photographers a few decades later adopted the ideals of the Tonalist artists. No longer interested in documentary photography, Alfred Stieglitz pioneered an expressive style of photography that emulated paintings with soft focus, resulting in sentimental prints.

Feeling inspired? Try out these fine products…

At Least 29% Off Water-soluble Sketching Pencils by Derwent Excellent for line and wash drawings	At Least 39% Off Abstract Acrylic Set by Sennelier Innovative packaging that waste no color!	Up to 44% Off Galeria Acrylic Colour Complete Set by Winsor & Newton The perfect gift for students and professionals
From $3.09 Watercolors by Van Gogh Professional grade watercolors	At Least 44% Off John Sanden Red Sable Brush Sets by Silver Brush Ideal for portraiture	From $16.76 Watercolour Flowers Step-by-Step by Search Press A comprehensive guide to painting flowers in watercolor.