Past Master Series: 22 George Inness Sunset in Georgia 8x10 by M Francis McCarthy

Hello, and welcome to Tonalist landscape painting with M Francis McCarthy

Study after George Inness Sunset in Georgia by M Francis McCarthy - 8x10 Oil on Wood Panel

This is a study after the great 19th century painter George Inness.  George Inness painted from 1855 to the end of his life which was around 1892. He has been highly influential to me in my own painting practice and so I have done many, many studies after his work.  What I like about George Inness, is the magical or spiritual quality that he achieves with his painting. 

This wasn’t something that came about automatically for him when he first started, his work was quite different than the sort of painting we are looking at here. His older work was a lot more detailed and he was considered to be a member of the Hudson River School of Painters.

The reason that George Inness has been so influential to me is that he was basically the very first Tonalist painter. Tonalism is an approach to landscape painting that focuses on a poetic and emotive approach.

When I first came across this type of painting, I was immediately attracted to it and I have spent many, many years learning and practicing how to work in this style. Back in 2015, I started doing studies after the Masters and I have very many videos on YouTube.of my studies.

Study after George Inness Sunset in Georgia by M Francis McCarthy - 8x10 (Detail)

Study after George Inness Sunset in Georgia by M Francis McCarthy - 8x10 (Detail 2)

Cheers, M Francis McCarthy

George Inness Sunset in Georgia (Original)