Virginia Bergmann – Thursday Night Guest – January 15, 2026

(Submitted by Sheri Etherington)

We were fortunate to have Virginia Bergmann present a presentation on Tonalist Painting.

See Virginia’s website for some wonderful examples of her paintings plus further information about Tonalism.

Virginia reviewed the definition/principles of Tonalism and then some of the historical schools of Tonalism. The word Tonalism is inspired by musical tones. This method of painting is great for stress relief, capturing the immediate changing effects of light, and conveying a poetic, harmonious feeling over representation.

George Innes is considered the father of American Tonalism. Modern Tonalists have expanded the subject matter to street scenes, still life, the human figure, abstract subjects, etc.

Virginia did a demonstration painting and reviewed the techniques of Tonalist painting. There were difficulties with the light, making it difficult for her to see the colours well as she was painting. These difficulties will be resolved for her 2 day workshop in February.

Virginia uses water miscible oils with Graham’s walnut alkyd medium. Don’t put too much medium – just a few drops. She does an under painting first and after it dries, glazes layers. More oil and thinner (WN miscible oil colour thinner can be added – just add a drop of thinner to the medium). The palette she used for this painting was Burnt Umber, Paynes Grey, Cadmium yellow hue, Cadmium orange, White, and Olive Green. The painting is varnished with Gamvar liguid varnish. Virginia uses songs to title her paintings.

She highly recommended the online videos by Dennis Sheehan.

Virginia will be presenting a 2 day workshop on zoom on February 21-22, 2026 I believe the hours for each day will be 1 pm to 4 pm – to be confirmed.

The subject will be ON ZOOM PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF TONALISM– with Virginia Bergmann from Nova Scotia. Virginia will introduce us to principles and techniques inspired by the early Barbizon and Tonalist movement. She will show us how to create atmospheric landscapes with muted, close values and a mood of mystery and suggestion. All mediums welcome; Virginia uses water miscible oils. Video will be available following the workshop.