The Impressionist Gaze: The 5 Visual Perceptions of the en Plein Air Experience

Dmitri Wright Weir Farm Daffodil Series - Go Gently Monarch and Blue Jay 24hx48w Oil on Canvas 2020-2021

The Impressionist Gaze

Artists create fine art when they transform the ordinary to extraordinary, and the extraordinary to the transcendent experience before your subject in the studio or out in plein air. It begins through the act of the gaze. Your subject comes alive when it is filtered through the movements between your heart and intellect.

The impressionist gaze is a:

·      Way of seeing that allows one to discover what is meaningful

·      Reflective state that helps one find oneself within their subject

·      Moment to allow nature to come to you, expect the unexpected.

The gaze is a mindful way of looking. We let nature wash over us. For painting en plein air is an experience of one’s embodied self and internal listening.  Your subject comes alive as it is filtered through the multi layers dynamic of our experiences.

The what, when, why, and how of the creative process relies on our ability to connect. It is through the act of the gaze we allow ourselves to be open to the experience.

The Impressionist gaze allows our perceptions (which are based upon our beliefs and values) to be transformed; to reach beyond just seeing what is in front of us.  It can happen naturally, if let nature in.

The 5 Levels of Visual Perception

Impressionism is not something we do, impressionism is something we are. We paint what we see, for what we see is what we perceive. Our perceptions are based upon our values, and our values are based upon what we believe. As an impressionist painter of beauty, we integrate our whole selves into the creative process.

Looking 

Look – direction gaze - where the subject speaks to you, engage in a non-judgmental presence. When you go out to paint plein air - stroll and let your subject come to you. Discover your muse in a state of pleasure.

This is a physical and psychological action. To interpret, turn ‘looking’ into gazing.

Seeing 

See – discerning gaze – flow with the movements from sensations to an image.

Discern visually, awareness, turn seeing into reflection. In the open understand that the environment is alive in your five senses.

Insight 

Insight – intuitive gaze –openness to the perceptive sense of place. Reflect inwardly as to what this moment means to you and what this moment relates to that you hold dear. Exercise your creative capacity to get an intuitive perceptive sense of place

Intuitive and factual understanding, turn this understanding into wisdom.

Visionary 

Visionary – wisdom gaze – Allow your imagination to take flight, connect to the “is and was” flow from this dreamy state to the future.  Let your plein air moment flow from this dreamy state this place where your brush is full of imagination.

Planning future with imagination and intellect. Turn management into leadership.

Inspired

Inspired  - passion gaze – permit this creative impulse to lift your spirit toward the transcendent idea to animate what is certain and incredible and beautiful. This extraordinary quality animates the best of us to paint what is certain and incredible about this now.

We were created by our Creator, who created us to be creative within creation.

The Steps in Brief

Step one

Look - direct your gaze –When you go out to paint plein air - stroll and let your subject come to you. Discover your muse in a state of pleasure.

Step two 

See – discern in gaze – In the open understand that the environment is alive in your five senses. Plein air painters paint from their sensations.

Step three

Insight – intuitive gaze – Reflect inwardly as to what this moment means to you and what this moment relates to that you hold dear. Exercise your creative capacity to get an intuitive perceptive sense of place

Step four 

Visionary – wisdom gaze – Allow your imagination to take flight. Romantically connect to the “is and was” to the now! Let your plein air moment flow from this dreamy state this place where your brush is full of imagination.

Step five 

Inspired - passion gaze – permit this creative impulse to lift your spirit toward the transcendent idea. This extraordinary quality animates the best of us to paint what is certain and incredible about this now.