Toned Grounds

Looking at the technique Sisley used for »Bridge at Hampton Court«, it soon becomes clear that this is a prime example of how to use gently toned ground coats, as favoured by Impressionists across the whole of Europe. The grounds range from broken whites and pale yellows to pink or even, as here, grey. More specifically, the sky often allows patches of grey ground to show through between the dynamic brushstrokes. Imagine what it would be like if the ground had been bright white – the character of the picture would be completely changed!