Richard Whitney - Painting the Visual Impression

2014 by Richard Whitney. All Rights Reserved.

E-book ISBN: 978-1-938394-14-0

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014952919

Second Edition published by

Great Life Press

Rye, NH 03870

www.greatlifepress.com

for

Studios at Crescent Pond

100 Chalet Drive

Stoddard, NH 03464

603-446-7476

www.crescentpond.com

www.richardwhitneyportraits.com

email:

Cover image: Twin Peaks (detail), 1991, 49 x 46.

C&S Wholesale Grocers.

Publisher's Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Whitney, Richard.

Painting the visual impression / Richard Whitney. 2nd ed.

pages cm

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN: 978-1-938394-12-6 (pbk.)

1. ArtTechnique. 2. PaintingTechnique. 3. Realism in art. 4. Composition (Art) I. Title.

ND1500 .W45 2014

751.4`5dc23

2014952919

Artists Comments

As a classically-trained painter after the DuMond-Reilly tradition, I am always looking for resources both to learn and teach the grand tradition that we share. I have found that Richard Whitney's treatise Painting the Visual Impression is a must-have for any painter wishing to move forward in the approach to painting that we call Classical or Academic. Richard has done an amazing job of distilling the primary precepts and practices of traditional painting into a concise and readable manual that will benefit any student or seasoned painter. I recommend that painters do what I do: read it once or twice per year. You can read it in an afternoon and study it for a lifetime. Kudos to you, Richard. Steve Armes

An insightful book with little gems of wisdom collected and preserved for posterity by one of the great artistic talents of our times, my friend and colleague, Richard Whitney. A must have for any library. Allan R Banks

Richard's book Painting The Visual Impression is a jewel of notes, based on his vast artistic knowledge and experience, as well as those inspired by the Great Masters. I would recommend it without hesitation for any painter of any artistic and professional level, as a valued addition to their library. Igor Babailov, Hon. RAA

Richard Whitney is the best teacher I never had. His book, Painting the Visual Impression contains every aesthetic value necessary to the realist artist working today. Richard Whitney draws on his knowledge as a painter, interspersed with ideas and quotes directly from the Masters, to guide you beautifully through every element of painting. You need this book! Colin Berry

Whitney's book is THE definitive guide to masterful techniques for the representational painter written by a master of American Art. Wende Caporale

An indispensible compendium of Boston Impressionist theory, studio lore, tradition, and techniques. This information has the singular distinction of being amplified by incorporating the drawing strengths of the Ecole Des Beaux Arts as transmitted to Dennis Miller Bunker and William MacGregor Paxton by the great Jean Leon Gerome and taught to Richard Whitney by Paxton's major student, R. H. Ives Gammell. James Childs

I heartily recommend Richard Whitney's Painting the Visual Impression. It is a compact and concise manual that is filled with sound, practical information for the painter working from nature. Stephen Gjertson

We use Richard Whitney's book in our introductory oil painting classes at Hillsdale College. His insights on method and time-honored principles are invaluable, setting a foundation for the student that hopes to paint well. Whitney's prose and paintings both inform and inspire. Sam Knecht

Five hundred years worth of traditional oil painting technique and knowledge, passed down from artist to artist, filtered through the modern master Richard Whitney, priceless! Jeffrey T. Larson

Note for note one of the great visual realists of our time. An exceptional painter whose book is a straight forward approach to the complexities of fine art.Dennis Morton

Master painter Richard Whitney has produced a gem for understanding the principles of impressionist viewing. Filled with quotes from the masters of Impressionism, succinct explanations of a practical nature and observations by painters through out the history of Impressionism, this small volume is invaluable for neophyte and experienced painters alike. I have owned a copy for many years and find something relevant to my current project every time I read it. A must have! Kirk Richards

Painting The Visual Impression is a must have for those wanting to be an artist. Well written in a clear and easy to understand way. Everything you would ever need to learn to become a serious artist. All the basics and more are here. Whenever I've had a problem on a work over the years, I always consulted Richard's book. The answers to your problems are there. Simply the best by a Master. Gene Riley

Richard Whitney's book is a collection of principles distilled from his time studying under R. H. Ives Gammell. Within it is a mixture of studio maxims and fleshed out instruction as passed down from master to pupil. For those learning how to paint what they see, as well as for trained painters, this book will prove invaluable. I often refer to it when painting and teaching. Darren Rousar

Most books on painting are How to do books. Richard has produced an incredible Should do book. From the first paragraph to the very last page, Richard has filled his little book to overflowing with the principles, fundamentals, and observations culled from nature, the giants of artist history, and his own experience. If studied, internalized, and put into practice, Richard's text will lead the artist/student on a journey of exploration and solid artistic achievement that should last a lifetime. Since 1972 I have used this wonderful reference to guide my own quest for artistic excellence and understanding. Robert H.Way

Changing Seasons, Crescent Pond, 2002, 48 x 42.

Private Collection.

Acknowledgments

I want to express my gratitude to my parents, Roland and Harriet Whitney, for adopting me and raising me in an environment of art and music, and to my high school art teacher, Norma Safford, for her encouragement and enthusiasm. Thank you, Sid Willis, for introducing me to the craft of traditional painting and for urging me to read Twilight of Painting by R. H. Ives Gammell. I especially want to thank my master, Mr. Gammell, for his profound influence on my artistic life. I want to thank the following artists for their helpful suggestions: Allan Banks, Margaret Baumgaertner, James Childs, Deb Crowder, Robert Douglas Hunter, Richard Lack, Jeffrey T. Larson, John Luxton, Dennis Morton, Gene Riley, Darren Rousar, John Howard Sanden, Anthony Watkins and Karin Wells. Thank you, Tim Dunn, for first printing my notes in 1979 and Pat and Jeff Jerde for publishing them in booklet form in 1995. I want to thank Grace Peirce, David Sullivan, and Walch Printing for helping make this new edition possible. I wish to thank the following artists for their endorsements of my book: Steve Armes, Igor Babailov, Colin Berry, Stephen Gjertson, Daniel E. Greene, Sam Knecht, Kirk Richards, Nelson Shanks and Robert H.Way. Finally, to my wife and fellow artist Sandy Sherman for helping to make our studios at Crescent Pond a paradise on earth!

To the memory of R. H. Ives Gammell who taught the principles of representational painting that have been the foundation of Western Art for centuries and to artists and art lovers everywhere who wish to learn more about them.