Comparative

Study
Irma Flores

Introduction: My comparative study examines the differences of techniques and

intentions behind the works of Claude Monet and local artist Patricia Gilman
Graham. I saw Patricia Grahams work in a local art gallery in Milwaukee, and
became interested when I found out that some of her pieces were made out of
sand and dirt, not just paint. I considered the artwork of Claude Monet right away
because of the similarity amongst the techniques and how they are used to portray
sensations through various factors, especially through color and light.

Nonexistent composition in Impressionism

Claude Monet, Vetheil in the Fog, 1879, oil on canvas,

Musee Marmottan Monet, Paris.

Impressionism is the art movement that

has influenced everything. Being easily
characterized by immediate visual
sensations through color and light, this
art movement is sure to capture the
audience's attention right away.

Edgar Degas, Dancer with a

Bouquet of Flowers, 1878, 26.98in
x 31.89in

Impressionist art
would never be
equal, meaning that
the composition of it
was nonexistent
because figures
would be overloaded
off the side of the
canvas or chopped
off, leaving behind
notable detail. The
main concept behind
it is the use of
technique and vivid
colors.

Claude Monet

"Impressionism is only direct sensation. All great painters were

less or more impressionists. It is mainly a question of instinct."
Claude Monet was a French artist who showed emphasis of a lit
and vivid atmosphere in his work. This technique became one of
the most important characteristics of Impressionism. Hes known
as the father of modern art
He is most commonly known for his use of soft edges, sunny
hues, and landscapes, which are all notable on his famous pieces
of art, such as Rouen Cathedral, Haystacks Morning, and
The Water Lily Pond.
By applying small dabs of pigment next to one another, (called
optical mixing) is what made these broken colors seem blended
once the work was seen at a distance.

Patricia Gilman Graham

The dramatic yet soft and silky feel
of Patricias artwork is what drew
my attention to them in the first
place. I had the opportunity of
visiting her at the Third Ward Studio
Gallery in downtown Milwaukee,
where I saw her art up close and
spoke to her as well. She uses
movement and special hues to
make her work appealing to the
viewers eyes.

Pastel 30 x 38

Pastel 32 x 40
In my painting I attempt
to reflect intimately my
impressions of living
things or the parts of
living things that
metaphorically suggest
the whole in celebration
of being.

Pastel 32 x 40

Haystacks Series

Claude Monet focuses on

painting a series of
haystacks, some which are
visible from a country
perspective and some which
have more of a city feel to
it. Sunrise and sunset are
also notable in his pieces
influencing the amount of
light or color visible
depending on whether it's
sunrise or sunset. All of
them reflect upon the
importance of nature.

Patricia Gilman Graham focuses on

using the finest pastels and soft cotton
paper for it to absorb the multilayers of
color that she uses. It the piece to the
right, she surprisingly uses acrylic, yet
gives it that same feel than that of a
pastel. When I first saw this painting, it
reminded me of the sunsets in the
summer here in Milwaukee, that are
multiple tones of orange, pink and
sometimes even purple. Here we see
that her techniques are similar to those
of Claude Monets because of the soft
strokes which unify together to create
feel.

Acrylic 12x12

Impression, Sunrise & Pastel

In Patricias piece the painting is more like a
calm lake very still with no movement at all.
The colors of both of these paintings are
very soft hues and soft brushstrokes.

In Impression, sunrise there is water

present in the piece with movement.
The technique of this piece you can be
able to see the softness of the
brushstrokes creating that movement
into the piece.

Pastel 30" x 38"

Color Field
Color Field is an American style of abstract painting. It was very popular in the
late 1940s to the 1960s that features large expanses of unmodulated color
covering the greater part of the canvas. Barnett Newman and Mark Rothko
were considered its chief exponents.

Blue-Magenta, Mark Rothko

Mark Rothkos technique in hi art pieces are very simple, colorful and
abstract. The titles of the pieces are very easy to remember and the
brushstrokes of his pieces are almost the same to one another.

Patricia Gilmans artwork is almost identical to his artwork. Her use of

soft brushstrokes and technique is almost the same. Also the soft hues of her
paintings are very similar as Rothkos work.
Orange and Yellow, Mark Rothko

Acrylic, Patricia Gilman Graham

Claude Monets technique in his painting Water Lilies he used little quick
brushstrokes and soft colors in order to create movement in the piece. What Ive
noticed in all of his pieces, he always uses soft colors when creating movement. He
always prevents from using strong vibrant colors or a colorful painting. For example
Sunset in Venice He uses warm colors but theyre not a color field that distracts the
audience when viewing the piece. He prevents from using a lot of live colors in order
to draw more attention to the movement to the actual painting.

Sunset in Venice, Claude Monet

Mark Rothkos technique is almost similar to Monets piece.

The use of colors are soft and colorful just as Sunset in Venice
Theyre not distracting the audience when looking the movement of the
Piece and the use of colors.

Red, Orange, Tan and Purple-Mark Rothko

The brushstroke technique of Patricia is very

different by Monet. Her brushstrokes are more
longer and more like a circular path.

Monets brushstroke technique seems

very quick and short

Both of these paintings have the same soft color hues

And almost the same brushstroke technique. The way
Of these two artists work is very similar towards each
Other not only in their technique and color, but also
How they both are very unique seperately.

In conclusion the three artworks they share

something in common whether is the use of
technique with the brushstrokes or the use of
the color hues, and the movement in the
piece. Each individual piece has their own
meaning and movement which makes them
unique from each other.

Citations
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/mark_rothko.
html
http://www.wisconsinfineartists.com/graham.html
http://www.wikiart.org/en/mark-rothko/not_detected_242128
http://www.claudemonetgallery.org/