Summer is a time for reading, and my preferred subject is Art History.  The life and times of the 19th Century artist, the challenges and the struggles are many.  They may be famous now, but they struggled in their time.  Have you ever thought about why Impressionism is so talked about.  If you paint today you are probably using the techniques established by artist like Monet, Sisley, Morisot and Pissarro.  Impressionism makes some use of transparent under painting but essentially consists of opaque colours laid side by side and establishing theories such as cool colours recede, warm colours advance.  Impressionists began to abandon traditional techniques, minimizing their use of earth tones in order to paint with a brighter, lighter palette.  They sought to convey atmospheric effects and the fugitive aspects of nature. 

If you interested in ready about Impressionist, check out 'The Treasures of the Impressionists' by Jon Kear. Its a fascinating read and The Judgement of Paris, by Ross King.  Other books I've enjoyed, The Big Magic, The Creative Act, Dictionary of Art and Artists, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, Colin Hays The Technique of Oil Painting, Robert Genn Love Letters, Carlson's Guide to Landscape Painting, A painters guide to Design and Composition, Stephen Quiller Water Media painting, Rheni Tauchid The New Acrylics, Gerald Bromer and so many more