This document discusses various topics related to art, including:
- Liberal arts and how the term has evolved over time.
- Two-dimensional art which includes paintings, drawings and photographs that are observed based on length and width.
- Three-dimensional art like pottery and sculpture that can be observed based on height, width and depth.
- Elements of design such as line, shape, direction, size, texture, color, value and principles of design including balance, gradation, repetition, contrast, harmony, dominance and unity.
- Tempera painting which uses pigment ground in a water-miscible medium.
- Gesso which is a white coating applied to surfaces to provide a ground for
2. Liberal arts
Liberal arts, term originally used to designate the arts or studies suited to
freemen. Itwas applied in the middle Ages to seven branches of learning, the
trivium of grammar, logic, and rhetoric, and the quadrivium of arithmetic,
geometry, astronomy, and music. The study of the triviumled to the Bachelor of
Arts degree, and the quadriviumto the Master of Arts. During the Renaissance,
the term was interpreted more broadly to mean all of thosestudies that impart a
general, as opposed to a vocational or specialized, education. This corresponds
rather closely to the interpretation used in most undergraduatecolleges today,
although the curriculumof the latter is more flexible than that of the Renaissance
University.
What is two dimensional art?
Two dimensional art is observed in terms of its length and width.
Two-dimensionalart consists of paintings, drawings, prints, and photographs,
which differ fromeach other primarily in the technique of their execution.
3. Probably, our initial responseto all four is a responseto subjectmatter--that is,
we firstnotice whatthe painting, drawing, print, or photograph is about. Such
recognition leads us into the work's meaning and begins to shapeour responseto
it. Beyond the recognition of subject, however, lie the technical elements chosen
by artists to make their vision appear the way they wish it to appear, and these
include MEDIA and COMPOSITION.
What is three dimensional (3D) art?
Three-dimensionalart is observed interms of its height, width and depth. It
is not flat like two-dimensional art, which consists of paintings, drawings
and photographs. Pottery and sculpture are examples of three-dimensional
art.
THE ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
LINE
Line can be considered in two ways. The linear marks made with
a pen or brush or the edge created when two shapes meet.
SHAPE
A shape is a self contained defined area of geometric or organic
form. A positive shape in a painting automatically creates a
negative shape.
DIRECTION
All lines have direction - Horizontal, Vertical or Oblique.
4. Horizontal suggests calmness, stability and tranquillity. Vertical
gives a feeling of balance, formality and alertness. Oblique
suggests movement and action
see notes on direction
SIZE
Size is simply the relationship of the area occupied by one shape
to that of another.
TEXTURE
Texture is the surface quality of a shape - rough, smooth, soft
hard glossy etc. Texture can be physical (tactile) or visual.
See notes on texture
COLOUR
also called Hue
see notes on colour
VALUE
Value is the lightness or darkness of a colour. Value is also called
Tone
THE PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
BALANCE
Balance in design is similar to balance in physics
A large shape close to the center can be balanced
by a small shape close to the edge. A large light
toned shape will be balanced by a small dark toned
shape (the darker the shape the heavier it appears
to be)
5. GRADATION
Gradation of size and direction produce linear
perspective. Gradation of of color from warm to cool
and tone from dark to light produce aerial
perspective. Gradation can add interest and
movement to a shape. A gradation from dark to light
will cause the eye to move along a shape.
REPETITION
Repetition with variation is interesting, without
variation repetition can become monotonous.
The five squares above are all the same. They can
be taken in and understood with a single glance.
When variation is introduced, the five squares,
although similar, are much more interesting to look
at. They can no longer be absorbed properly with a
single glance. The individual character of each
square needs to be considered.
6. If you wish to create interest, any repeating element
should include a degree of variation.
CONTRAST
Contrast is the juxtaposition of opposing elements
eg. opposite colours on the colour wheel - red /
green, blue / orange etc. Contrast in tone or value -
light / dark. Contrast in direction - horizontal /
vertical.
HARMONY
Harmony in painting is the visually satisfying effect
of combining similar, related elements. eg.adjacent
colours on the colour wheel, similar shapes etc.
DOMINANCE
Dominance gives a painting interest, counteracting
confusion and monotony. Dominance can be applied
to one or more of the elements to give emphasis
UNITY
Relating the design elements to the the idea being
expressed in a painting reinforces the principal of
unity.eg. a painting with an active aggressive subject
would work better with a dominant oblique direction,
course, rough texture, angular lines etc. whereas a
quiet passive subject would benefit from horizontal
lines, soft texture and less tonal contrast.
Unity in a painting also refers to the visual linking of
various elements of the work.
7. Tempera painting
Tempera painting, painting executed with pigment ground in a water-
miscible medium. The word tempera originally came from the
verb temper, “to bring to a desired consistency.” Dry pigments are
made usable by “tempering” them with a binding and adhesive vehicle.
Such painting was distinguished from fresco painting, the colours for
which contained no binder. Eventually, after the rise of oil painting, the
word gained its present meaning.
8. Gesso
Gesso, ( Italian: “gypsum” or “chalk”) fluid white coating, composed of plaster of
Paris, chalk, gypsum, or other whiting mixed with glue, applied to smooth surfaces such
as wood panels, plaster, stone, or canvas to provide the ground for tempera and oil
painting or for gilding and painting carved furniture and picture frames. In medieval and
Renaissance tempera, the surface was covered first with a layer of gesso grosso (rough
gesso) made with coarse unsliced plaster, then with a series of layers of gesso sot
tile (finishing gesso) made with fine plaster slaked in water, which produced an opaque,
white, reflective surface.
Subjective art:
Subjective art means you are pouring your subjectivity onto the canvas,
your dreams, your imaginations, your fantasies. It is a projection of your
psychology. The same happens in poetry, in music, in all dimensions of
creativity – you are not concerned with the person who is going to see your
painting, nor what will happen to him, or her when they look at your art.
Objective Art
9. Objective Art instead is meditative art. It is far more explosive than any
dynamite and simply opens up doors in your being. In objective art,
everything is calculated to create a similar kind of state within you;
something dormant in you becomes active – it is spreading its positive energy and
takes possession of you – you are being touched. Out of this inner emptiness and
silence arises love and compassion and a possibility for creativity. It is my
understanding that we are all part of eternity, a tremendous luminous
experience of ecstasy that is beyond words, nevertheless something
everyone can be …but it is very difficult to express.
NON OBJECTIVE ART:
Non-objective art defines a type of abstract art that is usually, but not
always, geometric and aims to convey a sense of simplicity and purity.
ART:
10. The expressionor application of human creative skill and imagination,
typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to
be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.
ARTIST:
a personwho practices any of the various creative arts, such as a sculptor,
novelist, poet,or filmmaker.
TECHNIQUE:
A way of carrying out a particular task, especiallythe execution or
performance of an artistic work or a scientific procedure.
CONTEXT:
The circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea,
and in terms of which it can be fully understood and assessed.
CONCEPT:
An idea or invention to help sell or publicize a commodity.
REALSTIC:
Having or showing a sensible and practical idea of what can be achieved or
expected.
REPRESENTATIONART:
Art that seeks to depictthe physical appearance of reality;
also called objective art and figurative art.
PERCEPTION:
The ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses
MEDIUM:
11. A medium refers to the materials that are used to create a work of art. The
plural of medium is media. Some of the most commonmedia are oil paints
(paints that use oil to hold pigments together), tempera (pigments held
together with egg yolk), marble (soft,white stone), and bronze (a metal
used to cast sculptures).