Middle School LEARNING ABOUT ART CYNTHIA NELSON
CHAPTER 1 THE LANGUAGE OF ART Leonardo da Vinci,Italian, 1452-1519, Ginevra de' Benci [obverse],c. 1474/1478, Painting oil on panel The artist's job is to be a witness to his time in history. - Robert Rauschenberg
What is art? Paul Cézanne, Landscape near Paris, c. 1876, oil on canvas What is Art? What is art? According to Dictionary.com, art is the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance. (Christine) In other words, art is something that is created by an artist to convey a message, invoke an emotion, or to create a work that is visually appealing to the eye. Artworks have been instrumental in documenting history, and early drawings, paintings, sculpture, and other artifacts have provided us with visual description of the past. 2
Because art is created by an artist to invoke a visual experience, saying that an artwork is pretty or interesting can often be an inadequate description. The world of visual art has its own language, and you need knowledge of and understanding of art terms, art processes, and styles in order to describe it in a concise manner. The area inside or outside of a line or shape is space. Positive space is the area on the inside of the line or shape, and negative space is the area surrounding the line or shape. The Elements and Principles of art A work of art contains at least one or more elements of art. There are seven elements of art, and they are: Line: Line is the most basic element of art. Early cave drawings used a lot of line, and the first thing that we learn to draw is a line. There are different types of line, and here are some examples: Some works of art are three dimensional, in other words, it is an actual object. This is an example of form, and is used to describe sculpture. A Contour line is a line a line that surrounds a shape. There are two types of shapes: Organic Another element of art is texture, which describes how something feels. This term can apply to a surface of a form or sculpture, or to two dimensional works, such as drawings and paintings. Geometric 3
Color is the light that reflects from an object. The hue of a color is the intensity of that color. The Principles of Design The Elements of Art are used to create the Principles of Art. One principle of art is pattern, which involves repeating one or more elements of art such as line, color, shapes, etc., either systematically or randomly. Repetition, which is repeating an element to make a statement or to create a pattern, is another principle of art. Movement involves using one or more elements to create motion in an artwork. Rhythm is similar to movement because you use the elements to create flow in an artwork, and sometimes rhythm and movement are listed as being the same. Value is the lightness or darkness of a color. Proportion is the size of an object in relation to other objects or shapes in a work of art. Artists will sometimes use proportion to create emphasis, which is what stands out in an artwork or where your attention goes first. Harmony occurs when an artist uses the same element or something similar to it so that the artwork comes together. For example, an artist may use different values of the same color, or similar shapes to so that everything blends together. It is somewhat the opposite of variety, when an artist uses contrasting elements to create an artwork, such as using different colors or different types of lines or shapes. Balance in art is the weight the overall artwork has. For instance, if you draw an invisible line through the middle of the work, is there just as much detail on the left as there is on the right? If so, the artwork has symmetrical balance. If the artwork has more detail on one side than the other, it has asymmetrical balance, and if the work is in the shape of a 4
circle and has equal balance throughout that circle, it has radial balance, because the inside of a circle is called the radius. Finally, unity is two or more principles of art used to create a cohesive whole. Take a look at the artwork to see examples of the Principles of Design. Use the note section to write down all of the principles of design and elements of art found in this painting. George Catlin, American,Portage Around the Falls of Niagara at Table Rock,1847/1848,oil on canvas,37.8 x 56.2 cm (14 7/8 x 22 1/8 in.) 5
CHAPTER 2 ART PROCESSES & TYPES OF ART Sanford Robinson Gifford,American,Siout, Egypt 1874,oil on canvas,53.3 x 101.6 cm (21 x 40 in.) All my efforts go into creating an art that can be understood by everyone. - Henri Matisse
Section 1 Art Processes and Types of Art Artists have always used different processes to create art. For this reason, art has been categorized into groups based on the process used to create the artwork. Here is a list of some the most common processes: Drawing: Created by using a flat surface and some sort of marking tool such as a pencil, graphite, charcoal, crayon, marker, etc. Mixed Media: an artwork that uses a combination of two or more art processes. In addition, artists may use different types of materials or surfaces to create art. The materials that artist use to create an artwork is called a medium. For instance, a traditional medium for a painting is a canvas, but is not uncommon for an artist to use wood, paper, fabric or any other surface for their piece. Art is always changing, and artists are coming up with innovative ways to create it. Painting: Created by using a pigment on a surface. The paint is usually applied by a brush or painting tool, such as a painting knife. Printmaking: A process in which the artist uses a printing plate or stamp that has ink applied to create more than one of the same drawings. Sculpture: Created by using materials to create a three dimensional object. Examples of materials used: glass, clay, wood, cardboard, recycled materials, cloth. etc. Photography: Photos that are taken using special lenses and or special developing techniques. Digital Art: Art created using a computer and design software. 7
CHAPTER 3 CAREERS IN ART Practice what you know, and it will help to make clear what now you do not know. - Rembrandt Jean-Baptiste-Camille,French, c. 1868, oil on wood, Dimensions overall: 61.8 x 40 cm (24 5/16 x 15 3/4 in.)
CAREERS IN ART Not only does art play an important role in history, it also plays an important part of life today. There are many different types of art careers, and art influences many different career fields. Practicing artists usually focus on one or two types of mediums, so an artist can be a photographer, sculptor, painter, or printmaker. Graphic designers, also called graphic artists, have a background in art. They use computer Graphic software to create designs. Graphic design is a broad field, and it includes web design, package design, and game design. Because it is computer based, it is related to the computer technology field. Also, With the emergence of technology, digital artists are becoming more prevalent. Digital artists use design or drawing programs to create artwork. Some artists become art teachers. Art teachers teach traditional (K-12) or secondary (college or university) school. Traditional school art teachers have a background in art and take education courses as well. University or college professors have a master s degree in art. Textile design is also a related field, and there are textile artists as well as fashion designers. Related careers include museum curators and gallery owners, as well as art restorers. Architecture is also a related field. Here is a link with a list of all of the careers that are art related: http://www.rd99.com/197artcareers/ 9
CHAPTER 4 ANAYLYZING AN ARTWORK A beautiful thing never gives so much pain as does failing to hear and see it. - Michelangelo
Analyzing An Artwork You can analyze or read a work of art in the same way you would a story or book. Look at the artwork pictured below and we will analyze it. There are four steps to take so that you can critique a work of art. Give a description of the artwork What is the title of the work, and who created it? What date was it completed? What do you see? When you are writing about the artwork, include the artist, the title of the work if any, what medium was used, size, and any information about the artist. What elements of art did the artist use? This piece was created by Jean-Louis Ernest Meissonier, who was French and lived from 1815-1891. The title is Horseman in a Storm, and it was made or cast in 1878. The artist used bronze as a medium, and it is a sculpture, and its size is 47.2 59.3 23.9 cm or 18 9 16 23 3/8 9 7/16 inches including the base. It in the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon, and the image is courtesy of the National Gallery of Art. The artist used shapes, lines, texture, and form in this piece. Based on the your description, analyze the artwork Based on your description, what message do you think the artist is trying to convey? He uses shapes, lines, texture, and form to create movement and proportion. Give your interpretation of the work Based on your analysis, what do you think of the artwork? The artist is trying to show the viewer what it looks and feels like to ride during a storm. He uses texture to show a muddy ground, and the rider s body is almost covered completely by his cloak, which is spread out. The horse s mane is matted as if it is wet. Give your judgment of the artwork Is the artist successful? Why or why not? The artist successfully shows the viewer what it is like to be out in a storm by showing the horse and rider leaning forward as if they are bracing themselves against the wind and the rain. 11
Using this example, try to evaluate a work of art on your own. Click on link below. http://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/collection/highlights/ highlight106384.html 12
Bibliography "art." The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Houghton Mifflin Company. 06 Aug. 2013. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/art>. All artwork is courtesy of the National Gallery of Art Open Images https://images.nga.gov/en/page/show_home_page.html xiii
Art 1 the expression or 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: the art of the Renaissance great art is concerned with moral imperfections she studied art in Paris. works produced by such skill and imagination: his collection of modern art an exhibition of Mexican art [ as modifier ] : an art critic. creative activity resulting in the production of paintings, drawings, or sculpture: she's good at art. 2 (the arts) the various branches of creative activity, such as painting, music, literature, and dance: the visual arts [ in sing. ] : the art of photography. 3 (arts) subjects of study primarily concerned with the processes and products of human creativity and social life, such as languages, literature, and history (as contrasted with scientific or technical subjects): the belief that the arts and sciences were incompatible the Faculty of Arts. 4 a skill at doing a specified thing, typically one acquired through practice: the art of conversation. Balance, Digital Art, Drawing, Medium, Mixed Media, Painting, Pattern, Photography, Printmaking, Repetition, Sculpture, Texture Chapter 1 - What is Art? Chapter 4 - Anaylyzing An Artwork
Balance a condition in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions Art, Color, Harmony, Unity Chapter 1 - What is Art?
Color the property possessed by an object of producing different sensations on the eye as a result of the way the object reflects or emits light: the lights flickered and changed color. Balance, Hue, Painting, Value Chapter 1 - What is Art?
Contour line a line on a map joining points of equal height above or below sea level. Line, Shape, Space
Digital Art Art created using a computer and design software. Art, Medium, Painting, Photography Chapter 2 - Art Processes and Types of Art
Drawing Created by using a flat surface and some sort of marking tool such as a pencil, graphite, charcoal, crayon, marker, etc. Art, Line Chapter 2 - Art Processes and Types of Art
Emphasis ( pl. emphases -ˌsēz ) special importance, value, or prominence given to something: they placed great emphasis on the individual's freedom different emphases and viewpoints. stress laid on a word or words to indicate special meaning or particular importance. vigor or intensity of expression: he spoke with emphasis and with complete conviction. Proportion, Unity Chapter 1 - What is Art?
Form 1 the visible shape or configuration of something: the form, color, and texture of the tree. Sculpture, Shape Chapter 1 - What is Art?
Harmony the quality of forming a pleasing and consistent whole. Balance, Pattern, Unity Chapter 1 - What is Art?
Horizontal line 1 parallel to the plane of the horizon; at right angles to the vertical. Line, Vertical line
Hue a color or shade: her face lost its golden hue verdigris is greenish-yellow in hue. the attribute of a color by virtue of which it is discernible as red, green, etc., and which is dependent on its dominant wavelength, and independent of intensity or lightness. Color Chapter 1 - What is Art?
Line 1 a long, narrow mark or band. Contour line, Drawing, Horizontal line, Movement, Printmaking, Repetition, Vertical line Chapter 1 - What is Art?
Medium the material or form used by an artist Art, Digital Art, Mixed Media, Photography Chapter 2 - Art Processes and Types of Art
Mixed Media an artwork that uses a combination of two or more art processes. Art, Medium, Photography, Sculpture Chapter 2 - Art Processes and Types of Art
Movement Using the an arrangement of objects in artwork to create the idea of motion. Line, Rhythm, Unity Chapter 1 - What is Art?
Painting Created by using a pigment on a surface. The paint is usually applied by a brush or painting tool, such as a painting knife. Art, Color, Digital Art, Printmaking Chapter 2 - Art Processes and Types of Art
Pattern 1 a repeated decorative design; an arrangement or sequence regularly found in comparable. Art, Harmony, Repetition, Unity, Variety Chapter 1 - What is Art?
Photography Photos that are taken using special lenses and or special developing techniques. Art, Digital Art, Medium, Mixed Media, Printmaking Chapter 2 - Art Processes and Types of Art
Printmaking A process in which the artist uses a printing plate or stamp that has ink applied to create more than one of the same drawings. Art, Line, Painting, Photography Chapter 2 - Art Processes and Types of Art
Proportion the correct, attractive, or ideal relationship in size or shape between one thing and another or between the parts of a whole: ex. perceptions of color, form, harmony, and proportion. Emphasis, Shape Chapter 1 - What is Art?
Repetition a element or object repeated in artwork. Art, Line, Pattern, Shape Chapter 1 - What is Art?
Rhythm a harmonious sequence or correlation of colors or elements Movement, Unity Chapter 1 - What is Art?
Sculpture Created by using materials to create a three dimensional object. Examples of materials used: glass, clay, wood, cardboard, recycled materials, cloth. Art, Form, Mixed Media Chapter 2 - Art Processes and Types of Art
Shape the external form or appearance characteristic of someone or something; the outline of an area or figure Contour line, Form, Proportion, Repetition, Space Chapter 1 - What is Art?
Space the dimensions of height, depth, and width within a shape or an area. Contour line, Shape Chapter 1 - What is Art?
Texture Art the tactile quality of the surface of a work of art. Art Chapter 1 - What is Art?
Unity the state of forming a complete and pleasing whole, esp. in an artistic context Balance, Emphasis, Harmony, Movement, Pattern, Rhythm, Value, Variety Chapter 1 - What is Art?
Value the relative degree of lightness or darkness of a particular color Color, Unity Chapter 1 - What is Art?
Variety a number or range of elements used in artwork that are different or distinct in character or quality. Pattern, Unity Chapter 1 - What is Art?
Vertical line at right angles to a horizontal plane; in a direction, or having an alignment, such that the top is directly above the bottom Horizontal line, Line