The Language and Colors of Art
The Language and Colors of Art
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Module 2
Let's explore the distinction between taste and aesthetics in art. I enjoy various forms of art such as painting, drawing, photography, writing, music, crafts, and dance. However, many types of art don't align with my personal preferences - this is simply a matter of taste.
On the other hand, aesthetics delves into why certain works are considered "good art," even if I might not personally appreciate them. The focus here isn't about whether we like a particular piece of art; rather, it's about understanding the reasons behind its artistic merit.
In this class, our emphasis lies in comprehending what makes a work of art acclaimed as "good," transcending personal preferences. While discovering new things to appreciate is encouraged, the crux is understanding the qualities that define art beyond individual taste.
Art Literacy
In the world of Visual Art, understanding the language used to describe different aspects is crucial—it's like learning a new language. It might take time, but there are simple ways to grasp these terms. One helpful method is to use these words as much as possible in your conversations and observations. This practice will gradually enhance your Art Literacy and make discussing art much easier over time.
In terms of taste versus aesthetics, disagreements or agreements often arise based on personal preferences versus artistic merit. For instance, I might disagree with someone's taste in preferring minimalist art because it doesn't appeal to me personally. However, in terms of aesthetics, I might agree that a particular minimalist piece is artistically well-crafted, despite it not aligning with my taste.
Regarding who likes a specific work of art, that is subjective and varies among individuals. Art appreciation differs widely among people due to diverse backgrounds, preferences, and experiences. The question of who likes a particular artwork doesn't have a definitive answer as it's subjective and can vary significantly from person to person.
Who likes this work of art? Why or Why not?
This nightmarish canine, inspired by real creatures, originated in the 13th century and is depicted in Dutch poet Jacob van Maerlant's work, "Der naturen bloeme." This piece served a purpose akin to a 1350 version of Wikipedia, encompassing a wide array of knowledge about the natural world and its beings, including this eerie canine.
What Makes Art Good or Bad?? Click Here to find out!!
Vocabulary words to know:
Vocabulary words to know:
Representational Art
Non Representational or 'Non-Objective" Art
Abstract Art
Trompe L'oeil (fools the eye)
Form
Content
Media/Medium
Composition
The Elements of Art
The Elements of Art
The Elements of art are the building blocks used by artists to create a work of art.
Line
Shape
Form
Space
Color
Value
Texture
The Principles of Design
The Principles of Design
The Principles of design describe the ways that artists use the elements of art in a work .
Balance (symmetrical and asymmetrical)
Emphasis
Movement
Pattern/Repetition
Proportion
Variety
Harmony/Unity
This video highlights the vocabulary you will need to know.
Cow Going Abstract by Roy Lichtenstein. 1982
This is an example of how something started as Representational Art...first it becomes Abstract or (abstracted) and then becomes Non-Representational (or non-objective)Art.
Recap: Abstract Art
An abstract painting distorts, simplifies or changes reality, but the subject should still be recognizable.Pablo Picasso was quite possibly the most well-known and successful abstract artist in history. Here is his work, Three Musicians, 1921 Oil on canvas.
Recap: Non Representational or Non-Objective
A non-objective painting has no subject. Contains no recognizable forms; often is more about the media it is made from, rather than any identifiable subject. Jackson Pollock was an action painter.In action painting there is no apparent subject. Here we have Pollock’s “Number 9” from 1949.
The ability to describe what you see is an integral part of the learning objectives for this course, and a great opportunity to use not only our power of observation but to begin using art vocabulary with confidence.
COLOR
COLOR
The Colors of Art
The Colors of Art
Artists use the following color schemes to plan their compositions:
Primary Colors: Red, yellow and blue traditional color theory (used in paint and pigments), primary colors are the 3 pigment colors that cannot be mixed or formed by any combination of other colors. All other colors are derived from these 3 hues.
Secondary Colors: Green, orange and purple are the colors formed by mixing the primary colors.
Tertiary Colors: Yellow-orange, red-orange, red-purple, blue-purple, blue-green & yellow-green
These are the colors formed by mixing a primary and a secondary color. That's why the hue is a two-word name, such as blue-green, red-violet, and yellow-orange.
Complementary colors are any two colors that are directly opposite each other, such as red and green and red-purple and yellow-green. The color complement of each primary color (primaries are red, yellow and blue) can be obtained by mixing the two other primary colors together.)
Analogous colors are any three colors which are side by side on a 12-part color wheel, such as yellow-green, yellow, and yellow-orange. Usually one of the three colors predominates.
Warm and cool colors play a big role when it comes to creating an illusion of space in your painting. Cool colors tend to recede in space while warm colors advance or come forward. This concept, is one of the great landscape painting tips.
For example, have a look this painting "Haystacks" by Claude Monet...As you look out at a field and far off in the distance you can see mountains. You will notice that what is far away is much cooler than the part of the field, and the haystacks that are closer to you. Off in the distance the field is much cooler in color and the mountains (which are furthest) are coolest of all.
The Old Guitarist, 1903 by Pablo Picasso
This information about color is very important in discussing art. We can now analyze a work and use vocabulary and knowledge gained so far. When we wonder (and write) about artists' choices, we can say, for example: " The artist chose to use red in the foreground to make it advance towards the viewer."
Composition in art is how different elements like shapes, colors, and subjects are arranged and organized within a piece. It's about creating a visually pleasing and cohesive whole, guiding the viewer's eye and conveying the artist's message effectively.
"Starry Night" is a great example of how composition can convey movement, depth, and emotion, showcasing Van Gogh's use of various compositional elements to create a captivating visual experience.
Let's see how this all fits together....Using the Elements and Principles this is an example of how to describe composition in this particular work of art:
Balance: The swirling sky and the village below create a balanced yet dynamic composition, with the cypress tree acting as a stabilizing element.
Foreground, Middle-ground, Background: The village, mountains, and sky form distinct layers, providing depth and perspective.
Leading Lines: The swirling patterns and the direction of the stars guide the viewer's gaze throughout the painting.
Color and Contrast: Van Gogh's vivid use of color and contrasting tones, such as the bright stars against the dark sky and the warm, illuminated village against the cool blues, adds visual interest.
Emphasis: The bright moon and swirling stars draw attention to the sky, making it a focal point.
Please watch this video:
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