How To Appreciate Art You Can Be Proud Of

"The story of art is the story of great men forever striving to harmonize truth and beauty" The Story of Art And Music, The University Society Music, 1979.


Get the whoa factor

Have you ever looked at a painting and it had the "whoa!" factor? Well if you do, you've an eye for art appreciation. Today you'll learn about art appreciation. So let's begin.


The characteristics of great art

All great art shares some characteristics, which are timeless and universal in themes. First, let's look at forms. I would like you to think of a ballet dancer for this exercise. I think this is a perfect example because a ballet dancer uses body shape, rhythm, line, and style during dancing.

The rhythmic motion of art

As you note, a ballet dancer uses rhythmic motion to glide his or her body across the dance floor. This is the same way a painter uses his or her brush strokes against the canvas. As the viewer, you witness the rhythmic motion of the brush strokes. As you gazed at the picture, you're pulled in based on how the artist interweaves the use of shape, lines and rhythm. What this has to do with the picture?

The artist use of form sometimes has a hypnotic spell that it casts on you. It engulfs you with an emotional entanglement. You're so carried away with the painting that you've to pull yourself away from it. That’s the power of an artist.


Artistic Style

Next, let's look at style. Every artist uses a certain style that allows him or her to stand out. Okay! we'll look at style in more details. We will start with Claude Monet (1840-1926). He captured light and beauty with light colors. He played on your emotions by pulling you in the picture with his color choices.


Next, Paul Cézanne (1893-1906), a French painter whose focus was on landscape painting. He had a way with placement, which brought order and unison to his subject. His paintings are timeless and are teaching tools for scholars.

Vincent van Gogh (1853-1906), a Dutch painter used bright colors in his paintings. He had many challenges in his life and as such, you can see them in his paintings. You can see the emotions he depicted in his painting with the bright and dark colors. He was famous for using pointillism a special form of painting using fine dots.

Contemporary art reflects art in the 21st century. Artists are more eclectic and are more versatile in their design. Artists explore graffiti, collage, computer art, cartooning, scrap booking, mail art, painting, basketry, line art, and doodling. The 21st century brings you art with a passion.

Well you know about art appreciation. Stay tuned for more art lessons from Mrs. Laughingpants.


Copyrighted © 2009 by Annmarie Edwards AKA Mrs. Laughingpants