Homer, Sargent and Pinkham-Ryder

Watercolor became a favored medium . He  was influenced by the handsome selection of John Singer Sargent and  Winslow Homer   watercolors hanging in the Worcester Museum. His analytical mind was most   excited by the technical ability these artists had in achieving transparencies. Fontaine particularly enjoyed Sergent's ability to  visually  transpose elements from nature, but he used more plastic constructions than Sergent. In addition, Fontaine particularly studied Albert Pinkham Ryder's ability to reduce natural shapes to their abstract essence.  This style is also reminiscent of Thomas Hart Benton who, along with Steward Curry, portrayed the American scene outside the New York School of Social Realism. The effect of promoting American indigenous art was a sincere effort to establish themselves in face of competition from international modernism.

Further influence was Mr. Michie's lecture on oriental art. He stressed the importance of Notan in a composition. Notan is the design or pattern of a work of art as seen in flat areas of dark and light values only. This had a lasting influence and can be seen in all Fontaine's works today. Books on Notan.  Mr. Humann, Fontaine's art teacher at the Museum School, treated all his students as though they were budding Rembrandts. The weekly compositions were seriously criticized for originality and development of personal style not too influenced by current fashion. 

Lynchings, 1932

Paul was twenty years old and employed the dramatic realistic style, distorted perspective and mannerisms of his teacher.  His next job was with the Works Progress Administration when he gained experience as a muralist depicting the history of Springfield, Massachusetts, full of Indians and early settlers in the Springfield Post Office.  (Springfield Post Office Murals )