Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Emerging in 19th-century France, Impressionist art embraced loose brushwork and plein-air painting to respond to the movement of daily life. Although the pioneers of the Impressionist movement — Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Paul Cézanne, Berthe Morisot, Camille Pissarro, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir — are now household names, their work was a radical break with an art scene led and shaped by academic traditions for around two centuries. These academies had oversight of a curriculum that emphasized formal drawing, painting and sculpting techniques and historical themes.
The French Impressionists were influenced by a group of artists known as the Barbizon School, who painted what they witnessed in nature. The rejection of pieces by these artists and the later Impressionists from the salons culminated in a watershed 1874 exhibition in Paris that was staged outside of the juried systems. After a work of Monet’s was derided by a critic as an unfinished “impression,” the term was taken as a celebration of their shared interest in capturing fleeting moments as subject matter, whether the shifting weather on rural landscapes or the frenzy of an urban crowd. Rather than the exacting realism of the academic tradition, Impressionist paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings represented how an artist saw a world in motion.
Many Impressionist painters were inspired by the perspectives in imported Japanese prints alongside these shifts in European painting — Édouard Manet drew on ukiyo-e woodblock prints and depicted Japanese design in his Portrait of Émile Zola, for example. American artists such as Mary Cassatt and William Merritt Chase, who studied abroad, were impacted by the work of the French artists, and by the late 19th century American Impressionism had its own distinct aesthetics with painters responding to the rapid modernization of cities through quickly created works that were vivid with color and light.
Find a collection of authentic Impressionist art on 1stDibs.
Early 20th Century Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor
1980s Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Paper, Watercolor
Artist Comments
A peaceful rural scene unfolds in Pennsylvania Amish country. Artist Judy Mudd captures the calm and tradition of the Amish lifestyle, evident from the clothe...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor
Artist Comments
A bustling street brims with life as people stroll past rows of brick buildings adorned with elegant architectural details. The painting captures the essence of...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor
1920s Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor, Gouache, Laid Paper
Late 19th Century Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Pastel
Early 20th Century Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor
Artist Comments
The artwork captures the essence of a quaint Parisian café. Artist James Nyika's use of color and light brings the scene to life, creating a sense of warmth ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor
Mid-20th Century Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor
Artist Comments
A rustic white barn stands in quiet solitude, its weathered walls telling a story of the past. A dirt path winds toward a misty, atmospheric backdrop. The sof...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor
Artist Comments
A romantic scene unfolds outside the Le News Café in Paris. A waiter serves a couple against the backdrop of the bustling city. Artist James Nyika's skillful...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor
Late 20th Century Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Paper, Watercolor, Gouache
1980s Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Paper, Watercolor
Artist Comments
A watercolor painting depicting a serene coastal scene. A small white boat rests on calm water in the foreground, evoking tranquility. In the background, two ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor
Artist Comments
Artist Maurice Dionne illustrates crowds of people walking along the street in an impressionistic representation. "Nimbus describes the luminous cloud or atmo...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor
20th Century Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Ballpoint Pen
Artist Comments
Artist Siyuan Ma shares a glimpse of the Huayan Temple in Datong, Shanxi Province. It holds significant scientific value for ancient Chinese architectural art...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor
Artist Comments
Artist Judy Mudd presents a harmonious pastoral panorama—an entry to her series of impressionist landscapes. "I wanted to capture a farm scene at the beginn...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor
Artist Comments
Cozy cottages line up snugly on a quiet street in the coastal town of Mendocino, California. The scene leads to the top of the road, where the sky blends into...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor
2010s Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Paper, Watercolor
Artist Comments
Artist Siyuan Ma presents an impressionist depiction of the Hanging Temple, a famous cultural landmark in China. Its Chinese name takes the character "Xuan" f...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor
2010s Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Paper, Acrylic, Watercolor
Artist Comments
A busy city street comes to life at dusk. The limited color palette and the angle capture the fading light, casting a soft glow over buildings and cars. The p...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor
Artist Comments
"This painting is a closer-up version of an earlier work called French Laundry," shares artist Catherine McCargar. She uses the same technique of priming the watercolor paper with a layer of gesso as the first painting. The process gives more fluidity to the paint, enabling her to execute wet-on-wet and to move it around as she sees fit. Catherine achieves a truly impressionistic painting with contrasting soft and hard edges that keep the viewer engaged.
About the Artist
Impressionist Catherine McCargar expresses her deep admiration of nature through landscape paintings of Northern California...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor
1930s Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor, Laid Paper
Artist Comments
A lighthouse stands on a grassy point, overlooking the tranquil waters of Admiralty Inlet. Its sturdy white walls and vibrant red roofs contrast with the blue...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor
2010s Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Paper, Watercolor
2010s Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Paper, Watercolor
Mid-20th Century Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Paper, Watercolor
Artist Comments
A rustic red barn nestles among the lush greenery at the Thomas Ranch on Old Northville Road. Mt. Diablo peeks through the trees while vibrant wildflowers sca...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor
Late 20th Century Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Paper, Watercolor
1970s Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Paper, Watercolor
Late 19th Century Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Paper, Pastel
Artist Comments
A curved staircase leads upward, where people ascend, their forms casting intriguing shadows against the warm light. The blues and grays of the sky and struct...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor
Artist Comments
Yellow houses bask in the soft light of spring, their warm tones contrasting with the cool shades of trees and shadows on the ground. A lone figure walks alon...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor
2010s Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Foil
Late 20th Century Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor, Archival Paper
Artist Comments
A thick greenery surrounds a quaint cottage, its roof peeking through the vibrant foliage. Roses bloom profusely in the foreground while trees soar high in th...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor
2010s Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Pastel, Archival Paper
Early 2000s Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor
Early 2000s Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor
Early 2000s Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Graphite
Artist Comments
Artist Siyuan Ma shares a view of the Hanging Temple, a famous cultural landmark in China. Its Chinese name takes the character "Xuan" from Chinese Taoism an...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor
2010s Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Pastel, Archival Paper
Artist Comments
Two figures stand near an open doorway of a rustic house. The summer sun casts bright light and soft shadows onto the scene. Artist Patty Phan depicts her Europ...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor
Artist Comments
Artist Siyuan Ma depicts Shanhua Temple, located inside the ancient city of Datong in Shanxi Province–a key cultural relic under state-level protection. "S...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor
Artist Comments
Artist Siyuan Ma illustrates the Shanhua Temple, located inside the ancient city of Datong in Shanxi Province–a key cultural relic under state-level protec...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor
Artist Comments
Artist Maurice Dionne shows the activity around the transit station, waiting for an incoming train. "In this particular case, we are at the U of Ottawa statio...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor
Artist Comments
Artist Siyuan Ma exhibits the Shanhua Temple, located inside the ancient city of Datong in Shanxi Province–a key cultural relic under state-level protectio...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor
Artist Comments
Drawing inspiration from a boathouse floating on the water at Coal Harbour in Vancouver, artist Maurice Dionne paints this idle watercolor scene. In the foreg...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor
Artist Comments
Artist Siyuan Ma depicts an impression of one of the ancient city walls in China. These walls serve as important defensive structures - products of Chinese ar...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor
Artist Comments
Artist Siyuan Ma depicts a temple towering on the ancient city walls of China. These buildings stand as critical defensive structures and serve as important p...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor
1940s Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor, Laid Paper
Artist Comments
In the style of impressionism, artist Judy Mudd presents a harmonious pastoral landscape. She paints an Amish farm in Pennsylvania nestled in lush foliage. "I...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor
Artist Comments
Artist Maurice Dionne illustrates a glimpse of O'Connor Street in Ottawa. He draws inspiration from the quality of light and the steeple, evident in the background. The light, the cars, and all the reflections create dynamic movement in the scene. "In sketching, I left a lot of impressionistic areas to catch your imagination," says Maurice.
About the Artist
Artist Maurice Dionne paints watercolor scenes of Ottawa, from quiet city walks to charming Victorian homes. "The transparency of the medium is truly remarkable; it allows so much light to shine through," says Maurice. He devotedly captures the mood and vibrancy most often inspired by the people around him. He finished a degree in science but ultimately decided to embrace his true freedom of expression. Now a full-time artist, he commits to a home studio as his haven of creativity, where he has access to artist-grade material that ensures that his pieces will be archival and endure the test of time. Maurice's work received merits from The Marketer Art Competition in 2020 and 2021 and was featured in the Electric Street Gallery, Ottawa Art Gallery, and Art Gallery of Ontario. He relishes cycling, hiking, kayaking, reading, and visiting specialty coffee shops with his spouse in his spare time.
Words that describe this painting: street, road, watercolor, cars, buildings, pedestrians, city, cityscape, architecture, travel, Canada, dome, buildings, impressionism, paper, architecture, impressionism, travel, watercolor painting, beige
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor
Artist Comments
Artist Siyuan Ma depicts Shanhua Temple, located inside the ancient city of Datong in Shanxi Province. A key cultural relic under sta...
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor
Late 20th Century Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor, Archival Paper
1980s Impressionist Interior Drawings and Watercolors
Paper, Watercolor
