What is TONALISM and How to Paint It? (Demonstration)

Tonalism is a painting movement and technique that originated in the 19th century. Find out more about what is tonalism. Then watch as I demonstrate this style of painting in watercolor and in oils. Try the technique out for yourself. It may just become your new painting obsession.
✅ Your FREE Painting Course: art.malcolmdewey.art/FreeCourse
🎨 Materials:
Art Materials:
- Gamblin Artist Oil Colors Introductory Set: amzn.to/2sLyeQh
- Artists' Grade Gamsol Oil Color Size: 1 Liter: amzn.to/2tsbQve
- Oil & Acrylic Paint Brushes Set. 100% Natural Chungking: amzn.to/2QJPs8F
- Palette Knife Painting Set: amzn.to/39Isac6
- Artist Paint Brushes - Top Quality Red Sable : amzn.to/2rU0oYQ
- Brush Cleaner: amzn.to/2QoLN0R
- H-Frame Artist's Easel: amzn.to/2Fn2UtK
- Canvas panels for practice: amzn.to/2Fmuuax
Timestamp:
00:00 Introduction
00:30 What is Tonalism
02:33 Watercolor Sketch
07:58 Oil Painting

[@janesexton7942]

His teaching videos are wonderful. He has the talent of instructing! Thank you sir.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you very much

[@theponderingpilgrim4342]

A lovely demonstration. The muted tones feel more repressed. But yet there is a deep beauty in the darks. You are probably for me the best artist, I have come across on YTube. Your demonstrations, insights are worth their weight in gold. Thanks for sharing amongst aspiring amateur painters like myself.

[@MalcolmDewey]

You are too kind, thank you!

[@maizyburger6524]

I love your motto for the year 2022: CREATE FEARLESSLY. What a positive outlook to life. Thank you.

[@MalcolmDewey]

That's the way we are going to win 💯😊

[@tawengwamagada3932]

Looking so good , thank you Malcolm.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Excellent, thank you

[@mimiseton]

I like your presentation style. Un-pushed. Makes you easy to listen to! Fun watching you paint and hearing your reasons for doing things as you go, too. Great, really.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you, that's great to hear.

[@Heidi.M]

After watching this I’ve realized what I have been doing wrong for so many years. Can’t wait to give it a go tomorrow. Thank you, Malcolm.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Excellent, thank you

[@lindamacgregor8039]

What fun - even watching was great! Now to the paints ...

[@MalcolmDewey]

Enjoy it!

[@JOHNOGRADY-un2ft]

Thank you Malcolm.😁 i've learned so much

[@MalcolmDewey]

You are very welcome

[@user-eq2cw2db7h]

Another lovely painting, soon I'm about to do small paintings on a board as you suggested, got to give it a go, 🖌️🎨👍 from Frances uk ♥️

[@MalcolmDewey]

Have fun!

[@tonihulick1886]

Thank you!!! Great demo!!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you!

[@beverlylake6452]

What a great New Year's Day gift! A delightful and inspiring way to begin the new year. Thank you, Malcolm.

[@MalcolmDewey]

My pleasure! Thank you Beverly

[@kamleshsunak3176]

Thank you Malcolm and a very happy new year. A great demo and informative video on tonalism. Would love to try it.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Al the best Kamlesh, thank you.

[@LynnePriceStudio]

I'm a great fan of Tonalism and just loved this video. Love your final painting. You packed a lot of information in this short video. I am going to take your advice and be diligent about prepatory value sketches. Happy New Year and blessings!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Glad it was helpful Lynne, thanks!

[@susanw6203]

Thank you, Malcolm and Happy New Year! Loved the painting and instruction!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you, Happy new year!

[@veroniquemoret6747]

magnifique, merci 😊

[@ceciliamateu]

Thanks Malcolm! What a wonderful surprise to see your video just now, such a great way to start the year! Have a great 2022!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you Cecilia, looking forward to seeing your fine work this year 🎨

[@santawilliams9029]

Lovely painting will have to try this too

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you! Go for it.

[@bdml77]

Beautiful!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you!

[@andresgiampieri6365]

Great explanation! 😎👌🏻

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you!

[@Jacksbox11]

🎉🎇🎇Happy New Year, Malcolm, to you and to your family! 🎇🎉🎆

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you, all the best for you and your family too.

[@christinapoulengeris]

Thank you. Very helpful!

[@MalcolmDewey]

You're welcome!

[@susanw6203]

I just watched this for the 2nd time and I continue to appreciate how easily you paint and teach.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you Susan

[@philliphewitt2867]

Thank you. Loved the video. Have a great 2022

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you! You too!

[@joaneklein4280]

You're such a terrific teacher!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Ah Thank you very much!

[@lorachristian7030]

Love it!...love tonalism..beautiful painting!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you so much 😀

[@Sahara2556]

Happy New Year, Malcolm! This was an excellent tutorial!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Glad you liked it! Happy New Year

[@brigittelussier9878]

Thanks again for a very instructive video! You put words on styles, technics, and so much more... I've only been painting for 2 years and I have sooo much to learn... I especially like this style: tonalism. I love tonalism, I didn't know it was called like that, I even have George Inness "Heron" as my desktop wallpaper! Keep'em coming 😊 All the best for you and your family in 2022 😃👩‍🎨

[@MalcolmDewey]

Super, thank you. 😊

[@elenaivanova6470]

Happy New Year Malcolm and your family! Love your painting!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you and all the best for the new year!

[@nikkiswenson54]

thank you

[@gingertunstall7739]

Happy New Year. Thank you for this inspiration as always. Stay well.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Same to you! Thank you

[@irinakorotkow3935]

Beautiful information packed demo. Thank you

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you, it's a pleasure.

[@leesaunders5495]

Excellent really well explained and good demo. Happy new year and thankyou

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you Lee, have a great year!

[@ranjanachand9306]

Very nicely demonstrated 😀 and a very happy year ahead, stay safe

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thanks, you too!

[@Eva-iy6vy]

That was very interesting demonstration. I like these quiet neutral colors.I would like to try it .

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you, Go for it!

[@diannehorvath9291]

Thank you, very good video.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Glad you liked it!

[@vesnabreskvar9082]

Amazing! Even from this boring Tonalism you can make a pleasantly vivid picture!😍

[@MalcolmDewey]

Glad you like it! Anything's possible 😉

[@terrierose5917]

Lovely !

[@MalcolmDewey]

Many thanks!

[@louiselavoieparise9416]

Happy New Year to you!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Happy new year!

[@bobgoodnoe4583]

Nicely done. 👍 Happy New Year, sir.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you, best wishes!

[@nicoleweddepohl]

I❤it thank you 😊

[@MalcolmDewey]

You're welcome 😊

[@AmandaMG6]

Thanks 😊

[@MalcolmDewey]

You're welcome!

[@mmartin00055]

Happy New Year! Often I have references like this, where there is not enough contrast and a lot of mist and fog. I usually stay away from them, though they can be some of the most beautiful scenes. This will help me know how to deal with the white. Thanks...Heading to the painting closet now!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thanks Michael, yes closer value relationships and softer edges are more important than white paint. Dave it for the essential lights only.

[@lisafred1362]

I was prepared to hate tonalism, but your painting had enough white and warmth in it that it wasn't depressing at all. Thank you and Happy New Year to you and your family. Thanks for all your tutorials.. very helpful.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you, best wishes to you too!

[@bindumotti2331]

Thank you

[@marinashaduri7836]

Thank you, Malcolm. That was an informative explanation and a beautiful demonstration. If I understood properly, the tonalism implies a play with (presumably) middle values and a restricted range of colors. Tonalists depict mainly moody and/or mysterious and almost monochromatic landscapes... The expanded range of colors in your oil-painting helped to reduce depressive gloominess and brought in a bit of joy (increasing an impact too). My question is: should a "tonalistic painting" be necessarily sad? Just musing...😀. Happy painting!

[@MalcolmDewey]

I actually ask myself that too. Certainly a sensitive and introspective approach. I suspect that early tonalists had the loneliness of vast landscapes to consider.

[@kimranson4775]

❤

[@louisklein9207]

Hi Malcom. Just a couple of things to note. Tonalist painters AKA brown school painters had very muted colors. Similar to a Zorn palette. Colors like blue weren’t used much if at all due to its cost since lapis was semi precious. Instead they used a blue/black such as ivory black and sometimes mixed a small amount of blue in it. Colors were tinted or shaded with white or black or white and brown, hence brown school painters.. a good palette to use for tonalism would be transparent orange, alixeron crimson, white and ivory black with some ultra Marine mixed in it. You could imagine the color harmony this limited of a palette would produce.

[@photographedemode]

🙏

[@parsleypowersmith5692]

What’s the name of the paints? Graphit?

[@MalcolmDewey]

Graphitint by Daler Rowney

[@user-du1ui9zs8e]

Does fog is a very important element for the Tonalism ? 😂

[@MalcolmDewey]

Atmosphere that softens edges 😄

[@user-du1ui9zs8e]

@@MalcolmDewey Sorry for my poor English, that's what I try to say 😅