M Francis M Francis

#6 Moonlit Landscape by Birge Harrison - 25 Days of Tonalism Vol 2

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

Painted after - 'Moonlit Landscape' by Birge Harrison Study by M Francis McCarthy - Size 5x7, Oil on wood panel

Today's painting is a study painted after 'Moonlit Landscape' by Birge Harrison. Note: This post is day three of 25 Days of Tonalism Vol 2.



Our video features the progression of this painting from its early underpainting stages on up through the final finishing brushwork. Also, watch the video for extended insight and commentary.


M Francis McCarthy
Landscapepainter.co.nz


A bit about my study painted study painted after 'Moonlit Landscape' by Birge Harrison; Birge Harrison was a second generation Tonalist. He wrote a great book on painting you can download here.


To see more of my work, visit my site here

Original painting 'Moonlit Landscape' by Birge Harrison
Painted after - 'Moonlit Landscape' by Birge Harrison (Detail)
Painted after - 'Moonlit Landscape' by Birge Harrison (Detail 2)



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M Francis M Francis

Creek at Dusk 5x7

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

'Creek at Dusk' by M Francis McCarthy, 5x7 Oil Painting on Wood Panel

This weeks painting is 'Creek at Dusk' 5x7.



Our video features the progression of this painting from its early underpainting stages on up through the final finishing brushwork. Also, watch the video for extended insight and commentary into this painting and landscape painting in general.


M Francis McCarthy
Landscapepainter.co.nz


A bit about 'Creek at Dusk' 5x7; Completed recently, reference this scene was reference photo I took while on holiday in England. The larger version (12x16) will be featured here next week.

To see more of my work, visit my site here.

 'Creek at Dusk' by M Francis McCarthy, 5x7 (detail)
 'Creek at Dusk' by M Francis McCarthy, 5x7 (detail 2)

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M Francis M Francis

#5 Durham, Connecticut by George Inness - 25 Days of Tonalism Vol 2

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

Painted after - 'Durham, Connecticut - George Inness Study by M Francis McCarthy - Size 5x7, Oil on wood panel

Today's painting is a study painted after Durham Connecticut by George Inness. Note: This post is day three of 25 Days of Tonalism Vol 2.




Our video features the progression of this painting from its early underpainting stages on up through the final finishing brushwork. Also, watch the video for extended insight and commentary.


M Francis McCarthy
Landscapepainter.co.nz

A bit about my study painted study painted after Durham, Connecticut by George Inness; George Inness, really the greatest landscape painter. I enjoyed doing this study and learned a lot.

To see more of my work, visit my site here

Original painting Durham, Connecticut by George Inness

Painted after - Durham, Connecticut by George Inness (Detail)

Painted after - Durham, Connecticut by George Inness (Detail 2)



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M Francis M Francis

Morning Meadow 12x12

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

'Morning Meadow' by M Francis McCarthy, 12x12 Oil Painting on Wood Panel
This weeks painting is 'Morning Meadow' 12x12.



Our video features the progression of this painting from its early underpainting stages on up through the final finishing brushwork. Also, watch the video for extended insight and commentary into this painting and landscape painting in general.


M Francis McCarthy
Landscapepainter.co.nz


A bit about 'Morning Meadow' by M Francis McCarthy, 12x12; Completed recently, this is painted over the top of an earlier, failed painting. It's a motif that I've painted many times in the past both in a square format and as a rectangle. 

To see more of my work, visit my site here.

'Morning Meadow' by M Francis McCarthy, 12x12 (detail)
'Morning Meadow' by M Francis McCarthy, 12x12 (detail 2)


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M Francis M Francis

#4 Between Two Rock Walls Arnold Böcklin - 25 Days of Tonalism Vol 2

 Hello, and welcome to Tonalist painting with M Francis McCarthy.
Painted after - 'Between Two Rock Walls' -  Arnold Böcklin, Study by M Francis McCarthy - Size 5x7, Oil on wood panel

Today's painting is a study painted after: 'Between Two Rock Walls' -  Arnold Böcklin. Note: This post is day three of 25 Days of Tonalism Vol 2.



Our video features the progression of this painting from its early underpainting stages on up through the final finishing brushwork. Also, watch the video for extended insight and commentary.



M Francis McCarthy
Landscapepainter.co.nz

A bit about my study painted study painted after 'Between Two Rock Walls' -  Arnold Böcklin; Arnold is one of my favorite painters and while exactly a Tonalist he was influenced and inspired by the Barbizon School which led directly to Tonalism. He is a fascinating painter, here is a link to a site that has a lot of information about him.

To see more of my work, visit my site here

Original painting 'Between Two Rock Walls' -  Arnold Böcklin

Painted after - 'Between Two Rock Walls' -  Arnold Böcklin (Detail)
Painted after - 'Between Two Rock Walls' -  Arnold Böcklin (Detail 2)

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M Francis M Francis

Tree in the Paddock 12x12

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

'Tree in a Paddock' by M Francis McCarthy 12x12 Oil on Wood Panel

This weeks painting is 'Tree in the Paddock' by M Francis McCarthy, 12x12




Our video features the progression of this painting from its early underpainting stages on up through the final finishing brushwork. Also, watch the video for extended insight and commentary into this painting and landscape painting in general.


M Francis McCarthy
Landscapepainter.co.nz


A bit about 'Tree in the Paddock' by M Francis McCarthy, 12x12; Completed recently, this is painted over the top of an earlier, failed painting.

To see more of my work, visit my site here.

'Tree in the Paddock' by M Francis McCarthy, 12x12 (detail)
'Tree in the Paddock' by M Francis McCarthy, 12x12 (detail 2)

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M Francis M Francis

#3 Landscape 1898 John Francis Murphy - 25 Days of Tonalism Vol 2

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

Painted after - 'Landscape 1898' -  John Francis Murphy Study by M Francis McCarthy - Size 5x7, Oil on wood panel

Today's painting is a study painted after:  'Landscape 1898' by John Francis Murphy. Note: This post is day three of 25 Days of Tonalism Vol 2.



Our video features the progression of this painting from its early underpainting stages on up through the final finishing brushwork. Also, watch the video for extended insight and commentary.


M Francis McCarthy
Landscapepainter.co.nz

A bit about my study painted study painted after 'Landscape 1898' by John Francis Murphy; John Francis Murphy, one of the all-time great Tonalists. I love doing studies after John and I always get a lot illumination from the exercise.

To see more of my work, visit my site here

Original painting 'Landscape 1898' by John Francis Murphy
Painted after - 'Landscape 1898' by John Francis Murphy (Detail)

Painted after - 'Landscape 1898' by John Francis Murphy (Detail 2)
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M Francis M Francis

In the Valley 10x14

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

'In the Valley' by M Francis McCarthy, 10x14 Oil Painting on Wood Panel

This weeks painting is 'In the Valley' by M Francis McCarthy, 10x14.



Our video features the progression of this painting from its early underpainting stages on up through the final finishing brushwork. Also, watch the video for extended insight and commentary into this painting and landscape painting in general.


M Francis McCarthy
Landscapepainter.co.nz


A bit about 'In the Valley' 10x14; I'm really happy with this painting. It represents a lot of the new direction I'm taking my painting in this year. I used a Burnt Umber ground color and the painting itself was done in a direct manner though not exactly Alla Prima.

To see more of my work, visit my site here.

'In the Valley by M Francis McCarthy, 10x14 (detail)
'In the Valley by M Francis McCarthy, 10x14 (detail 2)





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M Francis M Francis

#2 A Country Road At Sunset Elliott Daingerfield - 25 Days of Tonalism Vol 2

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

Painted after - 'A Country Road At Sunset' - Elliott Daingerfield Study by M Francis McCarthy - Size 5x7, Oil on wood panel
Today's painting is a study painted after: 'A Country Road At Sunset' by Elliott Daingerfield. Note: This post is day two of 25 Days of Tonalism Vol 2.



Our video features the progression of this painting from its early underpainting stages on up through the final finishing brushwork. Also, watch the video for extended insight and commentary.


M Francis McCarthy
Landscapepainter.co.nz

A bit about my study painted study painted after 'A Country Road At Sunset' by Elliott Daingerfield; Elliot was a student of George Inness. I really liked the tonal quality of this painting and I've definitely incorporated aspects of it into some of my own work. Some info about Elliot here and here

To see more of my work, visit my site here

Original painting 'A Country Road At Sunset' - Elliott Daingerfield
Painted after - 'A Country Road At Sunset' - Elliott Daingerfield (Detail)
Painted after - 'A Country Road At Sunset' - Elliott Daingerfield (Detail 2)


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M Francis M Francis

From the North 8x10

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

'From the North' by M Francis McCarthy, 8x10 Oil Painting on Wood Panel

This weeks painting is 'From the North' 8x10.



Our video features the progression of this painting from its early underpainting stages on up through the final finishing brushwork. Also, watch the video for extended insight and commentary into this painting and landscape painting in general.


M Francis McCarthy
Landscapepainter.co.nz


A bit about 'Summer Shadows' 11x14: I painted this in March 2017. This painting was painted on a Burnt Umber ground, a big recent shift for me.

To see more of my work, visit my site here.

'From the North' by M Francis McCarthy, 8x10 (detail)
'From the North' by M Francis McCarthy, 8x10 (detail 2)



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M Francis M Francis

#1 On a Sand Road Julius Jacobus van de Sande Bakhuyzen - 25 Days of Tonalism Vol 2

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

Painted after - "On a Sand Road " by Julius Jacobus van de Sande Bakhuyzen Study by M Francis McCarthy - Size 5x7, Oil on wood panel

Today's painting is a study painted after: On a Sand Road Julius Jacobus van de Sande Bakhuyzen.

Note: This post is the start of 25 Days of Tonalism Vol 2!

I'll be rolling out a new 'Day' each week for the next 25 weeks. There will be a lot of old favorite artists featured and a few new surprises like Julius van de Sande Bakhuyzen's painting that I am doing a study of today.



Our video features the progression of this painting from its early underpainting stages on up through the final finishing brushwork. Also, watch the video for extended insight and commentary.


M Francis McCarthy
Landscapepainter.co.nz

A bit about my study painted study painted after "On a Sand Road " by Julius Jacobus van de Sande Bakhuyzen; Julius was a Dutch Tonalist that lived from 1835 to 1925. He was a member of the Hague school. Here's a link to a short Wikipedia bio.

To see more of my work, visit my site here

Original painting On a Sand Road Julius Jacobus van de Sande Bakhuyzen
Painted after - "On a Sand Road " by Julius Jacobus van de Sande Bakhuyzen (Detail)
Painted after - "On a Sand Road " by Julius Jacobus van de Sande Bakhuyzen (Detail 2)

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M Francis M Francis

Summer Shadows 11x14

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

'Summer Shadows' by M Francis McCarthy, 11x14 Oil Painting on Wood Panel

This weeks painting is 'Summer Shadows' 11x14.




Our video features the progression of this painting from its early underpainting stages on up through the final finishing brushwork. Also, watch the video for extended insight and commentary into this painting and landscape painting in general.


M Francis McCarthy
Landscapepainter.co.nz


A bit about 'Summer Shadows' 11x14: I painted this in February 2017. I originally planned to do it in more green/earth tones but after doing the study I changed direction.

To see more of my work, visit my site here

'Summer Shadows' 11x14 by M Francis McCarthy (detail)

'Summer Shadows' 11x14 by M Francis McCarthy (detail 2)


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M Francis M Francis

#26 John Francis Murphy - 'Landscape' - 25 Days of Tonalism

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

Painted after - "Landscape" by John Francis Murphy Study by M Francis McCarthy - Size 5x7, Oil on wood panel
Today's painting is a study painted after John Francis Murphy - 'Landscape'.



Our video features the progression of this painting from its early underpainting stages on up through the final finishing brushwork. Also, watch the video for extended insight and commentary.


M Francis McCarthy
Landscapepainter.co.nz

A bit about my study painted study painted after John Francis Murphy - 'Landscape': I love John Francis Murphy's work. One on my favorite all time landscape painters. I'm happy with the way my study after his painting came out.

To see more of my work, visit my site here

Original painting John Francis Murphy - 'Landscape'
Painted after - "Landscape" by John Francis Murphy (Detail)
Painted after - "Landscape" by John Francis Murphy (Detail 2)

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M Francis M Francis

Twilight Journey 8x8 (2014)

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

'Twilight Journey' by M Francis McCarthy, 8x8 Oil Painting on Wood Panel 
This weeks painting is 'Twilight Journey' 8x8.



Our video features the progression of this painting from its early underpainting stages on up through the final finishing brushwork. Also, watch the video for extended insight and commentary into this painting and landscape painting in general.

M Francis McCarthy
Landscapepainter.co.nz


A bit about 'Twilight Journey' 8x8: I painted this way back in 2014. That painting was sold last year. I really like this scene and painted a variation of it recently.

To see more of my work, visit my site here

'Twilight Journey' by M Francis McCarthy (detail)
'Twilight Journey' by M Francis McCarthy (detail 2)


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M Francis M Francis

Near Twilight 11x11

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

'Near Twilight' by M Francis McCarthy, 11x11 Oil Painting on Wood Panel 

This weeks painting is 'Near Twilight' 11x11.



Our video features the progression of this painting from its early underpainting stages on up through the final finishing brushwork. Also, watch the video for extended insight and commentary into this painting and landscape painting in general.

M Francis McCarthy
Landscapepainter.co.nz


A bit about  'Near Twilight' 11x11: I painted this motif back in 2011. That painting went to a charity auction. This time I've painted the scene over a burnt Umber ground color and worked more directly.

To see more of my work, visit my site here

'Near Twilight' 11x11 by M Francis McCarthy (Detail)
'Near Twilight' 11x11 by M Francis McCarthy (Detail 2)

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M Francis M Francis

#25 Edward Mitchell Bannister - 'Trees Near a River' - 25 Days of Tonalism

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

Painted after - "Trees near a River" by Edward Bannister Study by M Francis McCarthy - Size 5x7, Oil on wood panel

Today's painting is a study painted after Edward Mitchell Bannister - 'Trees near a River'.


Our video features the progression of this painting from its early underpainting stages on up through the final finishing brushwork. Also, watch the video for extended insight and commentary.



M Francis McCarthy
Landscapepainter.co.nz

A bit about my study painted after Edward Mitchell Bannister: I love Bannister's work. There is a sort of funky quality to his trees in this one. I'm really happy with the textural quality I got in this study after his painting.

To see more of my work, visit my site here

Original painting Edward Mitchell Bannister - 'Trees Near a River'

Painted after - "'Trees Near a River'" by Edward Bannister Study by M Francis McCarthy (Detail)

Painted after - "'Trees Near a River'" by Edward Bannister Study by M Francis McCarthy (Detail 2)




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M Francis M Francis

Forest Brook 16x22

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

'Forest Brook' by M Francis McCarthy, 16x22 Oil Painting on Wood Panel 

This weeks painting is 'Forest Brook' 16x22.



Our video features the progression of this painting from its early underpainting stages on up through the final finishing brushwork. Also, watch the video for extended insight and commentary.

M Francis McCarthy
Landscapepainter.co.nz


A bit about 'Forest Brook' 16x22, I finished this painting back in February. I used a scene that I photographed in England on my last vacation.

To see more of my work, visit my site here

'Forest Brook' 16x22 by M Francis McCarthy (Detail)
'Forest Brook' 16x22 by M Francis McCarthy (Detail 2)
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M Francis M Francis

Summer Afternoon 8x10

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

'Summer Afternoon' by M Francis McCarthy, 8x10 Oil Painting on Wood Panel 
Today's painting is 'Summer Afternoon' 8x10.



Our video features the progression of this painting from its early underpainting stages on up through the final finishing brushwork. Also, please watch the video for the extended insight and commentary.

M Francis McCarthy
Landscapepainter.co.nz


A bit about 'Summer Afternoon' 8x10; I originally painted this motif back in 2011. That version came out well, though it was a struggle. This time things went far more smoothly. This type of tree is called a Totara and is common up here in the North of New Zealand.

To see more of my work, visit my site here

'Summer Afternoon' by M Francis McCarthy (Detail)

'Summer Afternoon' by M Francis McCarthy (Detail2)
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M Francis M Francis

#24 Robert Minor Sr - 'Landscape' - 25 Days of Tonalism

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

Painted after - "Landscape" by Robert Minor Sr, Study by M Francis McCarthy - Size 5x7, Oil on wood panel

Today's painting is a study painted after Robert Minor Sr - 'Landscape'.



Our video features the progression of this painting from its early underpainting stages on up through the final finishing brushwork. Also, please watch the video for the extended insight and commentary usually featured here on the blog in text form.


M Francis McCarthy
Landscapepainter.co.nz


A bit about my study painted after Robert Minor Sr - 'Landscape': Robert's painting has a peculiar composition. I was attracted to that, as well as the textural quality of his painting. You can read about Robert Minor Sr here.

To see more of my work, visit my site here

Original painting Robert Minor Sr - 'Landscape'
Painted after - "Landscape" by Robert Minor Sr, Study by M Francis McCarthy (Detail)
Painted after - "Landscape" by Robert Minor Sr, Study by M Francis McCarthy (Detail 2)


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M Francis M Francis

Golden Dusk 8x10

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

'Golden Dusk' by M Francis McCarthy, 8x10 Oil Painting on Wood Panel 
Today's painting is Golden Dusk 8x10.

Our video features the progression of this painting from its early underpainting stages on up through the final finishing brushwork. Also featured is my usual rambling narration, so please check it out.



Today's blog post was originally posted on my old blog back in 2013. I thought it might be nice to revisit, as it addresses some concepts I still fondly embrace.

Today, I want to talk about "narrative" in landscape painting. I am not an expert on art terms or art history, being self-taught. So my ideas about narrative may be different from the orthodox view. To define the term narrative as it relates to landscape painting, I mean, contextualized artifacts that create stories.

I avoid narrative in my painting. That means I do not put people in my landscapes or even things like houses, fences, fence posts, cows, sheep etc.

I've no issue with artists that use these elements in their work. In fact, I know its convenient for solving many compositional problems. For me, those benefits are outweighed by the attention these focal points draw and more importantly the narrative that is generated when they are present.

For example, if I paint a young girl with a basket into a scene of a field. Many questions about her and her situation are created. Where is she going? Is she happy? What's in the basket? Do her parent's own the field etc.,?

Or, if I paint an old barn in that field, you could ask, who works there? Is there anybody in that barn now? When was the last time anyone used that barn and so on?

On the other hand, if I just paint a field with some trees and maybe a brook and an interesting sky. I've created a space that can be filled by the viewer of the painting without creating context. There is nothing between them and the emotive space that I've created for them to occupy. They are free to expand their consciousness into it and in so doing, relax and feel good.

This is my only goal and intention as a landscape painter.

I wish for the viewers of my paintings to feel good but that is just the start of what I'm after. As they go deeper into the painting they might begin to wonder why they are alive anyway and why is life so utterly beautiful?

Or, they could just experience that feeling of stillness you feel at that moment after the sun's just passed over the horizon and you find yourself deep in the seeming timelessness of the gloaming. A space between light and darkness, between life and death.

I should mention that my idol George Inness, often painted figures into his works. Not only was he able to do this without the sort of repercussions I've mentioned, but his best paintings easily achieve all the things that I wish for my paintings to do as well.

All I can say is that Inness was a genius. I guess that the rest of us must just do the best we can.

M Francis McCarthy
Landscapepainter.co.nz

A bit about 'Golden Dusk' 8x10: I've painted this basic scene a few times before. This is the second time I tried a golden approach. I'm happy with the end result and the painting has gotten a good response. 

To see more of my work, visit my site here


'Golden Dusk' by M Francis McCarthy (Detail)
'Golden Dusk' by M Francis McCarthy (Detail 2)

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