Work at the same time on sky, water, branches, ground, keeping everything going on an equal basis… Don’t be afraid of putting on colour… Paint generously and unhesitatingly, for it is best not to lose the first impression.
Meaning of the quote
The French artist Camille Pissarro encourages young artists to work on all parts of a painting at the same time - the sky, water, trees, and ground. He says not to worry about using lots of color, and to paint freely and without hesitation. This helps capture the initial impression or feeling you have when you start a painting.
About Camille Pissarro
Camille Pissarro was a pioneering Danish-French Impressionist painter who played a pivotal role in the Impressionist movement and influenced many Post-Impressionist artists. He was known for his naturalistic portrayals of the ‘common man’ and his balanced, kind personality that earned him the title of the ‘dean of the Impressionist painters’.
More quotes from Camille Pissarro
Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing.
Danish-French painter (1830-1903)
I regard it as a waste of time to think only of selling: one forgets one’s art and exaggerates one’s value.
Danish-French painter (1830-1903)
Paint the essential character of things.
Danish-French painter (1830-1903)
Everything is beautiful, all that matters is to be able to interpret.
Danish-French painter (1830-1903)
When you do a thing with your whole soul and everything that is noble within you, you always find your counterpart.
Danish-French painter (1830-1903)
Observe that it is a great error to believe that all mediums of art are not closely tied to their time.
Danish-French painter (1830-1903)
It is only by drawing often, drawing everything, drawing incessantly, that one fine day you discover to your surprise that you have rendered something in its true character.
Danish-French painter (1830-1903)
I sometimes have a horrible fear of turning up a canvas of mine. I’m always afraid of finding a monster in place of the precious jewels I thought I had put there!
Danish-French painter (1830-1903)
It is absurd to look for perfection.
Danish-French painter (1830-1903)
God takes care of imbeciles, little children and artists.
Danish-French painter (1830-1903)
Don’t be afraid in nature: one must be bold, at the risk of having been deceived and making mistakes.
Danish-French painter (1830-1903)
I remember that, although I was full of fervour, I didn’t have the slightest inkling, even at forty, of the deeper side to the movement we were pursuing by instinct. It was in the air!
Danish-French painter (1830-1903)
Work at the same time on sky, water, branches, ground, keeping everything going on an equal basis… Don’t be afraid of putting on colour… Paint generously and unhesitatingly, for it is best not to lose the first impression.
Danish-French painter (1830-1903)
Cover the canvas at the first go, then work at it until you see nothing more to add.
Danish-French painter (1830-1903)
I began to understand my sensations, to know what I wanted, at around the age of forty – but only vaguely.
Danish-French painter (1830-1903)
At fifty, that is in 1880, I formulated the idea of unity, without being able to render it. At sixty, I am beginning to see the possibility of rendering it.
Danish-French painter (1830-1903)