Neo-Impressionism

Small color marks sit side by side and cohere into luminous areas at a distance.

Visual traits

• Separated marks
• Luminous color
• Color contrast

Expected changes

• Color marks are more likely to separate finely
• Adjacent color contrast is more likely to be visible

Definition

A historical art style that places color in small separate marks so their relationships cohere at viewing distance. It does not determine a particular artist, work, place, or subject.

In more detail

It shows color mixture through fine marks on the surface while retaining contrasts of lightness and hue. Subject, time, and place remain separate choices.

Includes

• Separated color marks
• Luminous color relationships
• Color coherence at viewing distance

Excludes

• Imitation of a particular artist or work
• Photographic noise
• A particular place or outdoor subject

What this does not imply

• A particular artist
• work
• or place
• Photographic grain
• A particular season or time of day

Variability

Because this is based on general art-term indexes, details of historical technique need separate verification.

Usage

• Keep color marks small and separated
• Specify subject and place separately

Distinguish similar expressions

• Compare with Pointillism when only dotted brushwork is intended

Typical uses

• Depict figures
• animals
• or landscapes with small color marks

Possible failure modes

• Marks read as uniform noise
• Color contrast becomes muddy