Solveig explains Graphic Impressionism

Graphic impressionism is a title coined by Solveig to describe her style, based on the theories of Impressionistic technique that expressed through artists of the 19th century group of Paris-based artists.

The Impressionists portrayed overall visual effects instead of details, and used short “broken” brush strokes of mixed and pure unmixed colour—not blended smoothly or shaded, as was customary—to achieve an effect of intense colour vibration. Solveig achieves this effect with shapes of colour instead of brushstrokes. She applies pure areas of colour inset with an opposing colour to create an energetic edge that gives vibration and life energy to her works.

It is important to Solveig to create the look of the energy, to give the feel of the energy through the psychology and juxtaposition of the colours used.

“I want people to ‘walk into’ my paintings, to be invited by the feel of colour and light. I want them to be more compelling than just a decorated surface, to engage with you energetically.”

“Using colour theory as the Impressionists did, I have a wonderful natural way of working within the spectrum, with all the colours that light provides. As it dances and plays across the forms in front of you, you capture that, you capture the light playing on the surface. And that, to the eye, creates ‘reality’, creates the impression that immediately allows the brain to be there, to see, to recognise.”

Solveig does not use the colour black because black deadens other colours. Shadow is created using the opposite colour to the one depicting the form. This creates a richer, more alive representation.

Its all about bringing a 3D image or subject ‘to life’, on a 2D surface.