As most of us know, one of the most popular and widely imitated art movements in the history of Western art is Impressionism. It's an approach to painting originated by a group of French painters, and although each member had a unique style, they all shared many things in common that gave their paintings a distinct look.

Paint outdoors on location:

 The Impressionists painted directly from nature; so should you. They attempted to look at the landscape as objectively as possible, recording how natural light illuminates the clouds, trees, grass and buildings around them. There's no substitute for painting what you really see outside.


Don't overdo hard edges:

 The Impressionists weren't "paint by number" painters. That is, they didn't outline a shape with line then "color it in," like in a coloring book. Instead, they built up shapes with strokes and touches of color that softened the edges in their paintings.


Suggest detail; don't describe it:

 Look at your subject matter comprehensively; don't fixate on individual details. Try squinting to obscure sharp detail. Trying to see and paint every detail will distract you from the overall impression you're trying to create.