What is Art?

There is no universally accepted definition of art. Although commonly used to describe something
of beauty, or a skill which produces an aesthetic result, there is no clear line in principle between (say) a
unique piece of handmade sculpture, and a mass-produced but visually attractive item. We might say that
art requires thought - some kind of creative impulse - but this raises more questions: for example, how
much thought is required? If someone flings paint at a canvas, hoping by this action to create a work of
art, does the result automatically constitute art?
Art is a global activity which encompasses a host of disciplines, as evidenced by the range of words and
phrases which have been invented to describe its various forms. Examples of such phraseology include:
"Fine Arts", "Liberal Arts", "Visual Arts", "Decorative Arts", "Applied Arts", "Design", "Crafts", "Performing
Arts", and so on.
The original classical definition - derived from the Latin word "ars" (meaning "skill" or "craft") - is a useful
starting point. This broad approach leads to art being defined as: "the product of a body of knowledge,
most often using a set of skills." Thus Renaissance painters and sculptors were viewed merely as highly
skilled artisans (interior-decorators?). No wonder Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo went to such efforts
to elevate the status of artists (and by implication art itself) onto a more intellectual plane.
History of Stone Age Art (2.5 million-3,000 BCE)
Prehistoric art comes from three epochs of prehistory: Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic. The earliest
recorded art is the Bhimbetka petroglyphs (a set of 10 cupules and an engraving or groove) found in a
quartzite rock shelter known as Auditorium cave at Bhimbetka in central India, dating from at least
290,000 BCE. However, it may turn out to be much older (c.700,000 BCE). (example: calligraphy)
History of Bronze Age Art (In Europe: 3000-1200 BCE)
The most famous examples of Bronze Age art appeared in the 'cradle of civilization' around the
Mediterranean in the Near East, during the rise of Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq), Greece, Crete (Minoan
civilization) and Egypt. The emergence of cities, the use of written languages and the development of
more sophisticated tools led the creation of a far wider range of monumental and portable artworks.
History of Medieval Art
With the death in 395 CE, of the Emperor Theodosius, the Roman empire was divided into two halves: a
Western half based initially in Rome, until it was sacked in the 5th century CE, then Ravenna; and an
eastern half located in the more secure city of Constantinople. At the same time, Christianity was made
the exclusive official religion of the empire. These two political developments had a huge impact on the
history of Western art. 
History of Renaissance Art (c.1300-1620)
Strongly influenced by International Gothic, the European revival of fine art between roughly 1300 and
1600, popularly known as "the Renaissance", was a unique and (in many respects) inexplicable
phenomenon, not least because of (1) the Black Death plague (1346), which wiped out one third of the
European population; (2) the 100 Years War between England and France (1339-1439) and (3) the
Reformation (c.1520) - none of which was conducive to the development of the visual arts.
History of Modern Art
Impressionism (c.1870-80)
French Impressionism, championed above all by Claude Monet (1840-1926), was a spontaneous colour-
sensitive style of pleinairism whose origins derived from Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot and the
techniques of the Barbizon school - whose quest was to depict the momentary effects of natural light. It
encompassed rural landscapes [Alfred Sisley (1839-1899)], cityscapes [Camille Pissarro (1830-1903)],
genre scenes [Pierre-Auguste Renoir(1841-1919), Edgar Degas (1834-1917), Paul Cezanne (1839-
1906), and Berthe Morisot (1841-95)] and both figurative paintings and portraits [Edouard
Manet (1832-83), John Singer Sargent (1856-1925)]. Other artists associated with Impressionism
include, James McNeil Whistler (1834-1903) and Walter Sickert (1860-1942).
History of Contemporary Art
The word "Postmodernist" is often used to describe contemporary art since about 1970. In simple
terms, postmodernist art emphasizes style over substance (eg. not 'what' but 'how'; not 'art for art's
sake', but 'style for stye's sake'), and stresses the importance of how the artist communicates with his/her
audience. This is exemplified by movements such as Conceptual art, where the idea being communicated
is seen as more important than the artwork itself, which merely acts as the vehicle for the message.

Styles in Art: 1. Contemporary 2. Pop Art 3. Abstract 4. Impressionism 5. Surrealism

Media of Arts:
1. Oil paints. When you think of oil painting, a painting known by almost everyone on the planet
is the Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci. Oil painting is one of the oldest mediums still regularly used in art.

2. Watercolors. watercolors are difficult to work around, as once the paint is on paper, there is very little
you can do to change it. However, once you master it, there are several advantages. Watercolors are
comparatively inexpensive.
3. Acrylic This is the newest medium used in art and was only developed in 1940. Compared to watercolors
and oil paints, acrylics have a lot of advantages. It dries very fast, unlike oil paints. It is also very versatile
and durable.
4. Graphite Pencil. If you’ve seen Titanic, then you know what scene that quote comes from. Jack used
graphite pencils to sketch Rose in that legendary blockbuster. These pencils are similar to normal
pencils, but they come in different intensity levels.
5. Pastels. Pastels come in two forms—oil pastels, which are generally used by children for coloring, and
chalk pastels, which are similar to charcoal, but they come in all colors. Pastels are ideal for blending and
layering. The tip, cut and side can all be used to create various textures.
Purposes of Art
Why do people create visual art? What is it used for? Why is it valued? Art plays different roles in different situations. 
There are five purposes for visual art: Ceremonial, Artistic Expression, Narrative, Functional and Persuasive.
-Ceremonial art is made to celebrate or commemorate something important in the culture, in ritual or worship, or in personal life. Ex.
“The Last Supper” By Leonardo Da Vinci Cere. Last Supper
Narrative art tells a story or makes a point. Some communities commission narrative murals for buildings or walls to depict stories
from local history. Narrative art describes or illustrates experiences, documents important or historical events, or communicates ideas
or information.
Art created for Artistic Expression focuses on the artist most of all, for it is a self-expression of the artist’s personal, internal emotions,
feelings, experiences or ideas. This type of art is sometimes, but not always, abstract or nonobjective.
Functional art seeks to beautify objects that are useful in everyday life. Many of the objects we use – including pottery, quilts, baskets,
furniture (serve a useful purpose) but are also designed or decorated in a way that is artistically pleasing.
Persuasive artworks promote ideas, philosophies or products. Advertising, marketing, propaganda and visual messages of ideology fall
into this category.

Subject Matter What can art be about? Think of all the types of subjects you have seen in paintings, photographs, sculptures. You
have probably seen examples of landscapes, portraits, still life, abstract images, and even non-objective subject matter.
1. A landscape is a work based on the land and what is on it. Notice in the painting “On the Bank of the Seine, Bennecourt” that
Claude Monet includes a woman in the painting, but she is not the focus of the painting.
2. A portrait is based on a specific person or animal. Portraits have always been popular. Here is the “Mona Lisa” by Leonardo,
arguably the most famous portrait in history. Leonardo carried this painting around with him until his death.
3. Still-life -artwork based on inanimate objects. Ex. A bowl of fruit “Still-life with Apples” Paul Cezanne 1895.
4. Abstract -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”.
5. 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 18” from 1950.
Da Vinci was someone who was skilled and knowledgeable in many, many subjects, including science, mathematics,
music, and most importantly, art. He was the epitome of a Renaissance man if there never was one.
o The Last Supper o The Baptism of Christ o Ginevra de’ Benci
o Mona Lisa o Annunciation o Adoration of the Magi

Rembrandt’s artworks gave way to what historians refer to as the Dutch Golden Age. Rembrandt was an excellent
painter and etcher, one of the greatest in European art history..
o The Night Watch o The Jewish Bride o The Storm on the Sea of
o Return of the Prodigal Son o Danaë Galilee

Jackson Pollock was an American painter who spearheaded the abstract expressionist movement.
o No. 5, 1948 o Male and Female o The She-Wolf
o No. 1 (Lavender Mist) o Blue Poles o The Key

Mark Rothko was a Russian-born American painter who was interpreted as an abstract expressionist.
o White Center (Yellow, o Untitled (Black on Grey) o Orange, Red, Yellow
Pink and Lavender on Rose) o No. 3/No. 13 (Magenta, o Black on Maroon
o Four Darks in Red Black, Green on Orange)
Pablo Ruiz Picasso was a Spanish draughtsman, sculptor, and painter who spent most of his life in France. Picasso
was particularly skilled from childhood and into adolescence, and in his twenties he experimented with different
ideas and techniques. His accomplishments in art brought him much fame.
o Guernica o Three Musicians o Ma Jolie
o Dora Maar au Chat o The Old Guitarist o The Three Dancers

Oscar Claude Monet was a founder of French Impressionist painting. Monet lived by the philosophy of
Impressionism that emphasizes the expression of one’s perceptions before nature.
o Impression, Sunrise o San Giorgio Maggiore at o Beach in Pourville
o The Magpie Dusk
o Women in the Garden
Salvador Dali was a prominent Spanish Catalan surrealist painter. Dali was very imaginative and had an affinity for
unusual and grandiose behavior.
 o The Persistence of Memory
o The Disintegration of the PPersistence of Memory

Andy Warhol made Pop Art. His use of immediate culture in all his work is what brought him fame and glory.
o Campbell’s Soup Cans
o Moon Museum
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up. Once I drew like
Raphael, but it has taken me a whole lifetime to learn to draw like children.” -Pablo
Picasso
THE VISUAL ELEMENTS: The Visual Elements of line, shape, tone, color, pattern, texture and form are the building blocks of
composition in art. When we analyze any drawing, painting, sculpture or design, we examine these component parts to see how they
combine to create the overall effect of the artwork.
The Visual Elements have a relationship to one another:
 Most images begin their life as line drawings.
 Lines cross over one another to form shapes.
 Shapes can be filled with tone and color, or repeated to create pattern.
 A shape may be rendered with a rough surface to create a texture.
 A shape may be projected into three dimensions to create form.
Each of the elements may also be used individually to stress their own
particular character in an artwork. Different elements can express qualities such as
movement and rhythm, space and depth, growth and structure, harmony and contrast,
noise and calm and a wide range of emotions that make up the subjects of great art.
Lines is the foundation of all drawing. It is the first and most versatile of the
visual elements of art. Line in an artwork can be used in many different ways. It can be used to suggest shape,
pattern, form, structure, growth, depth, distance, rhythm, movement and a range of emotions.
We have a psychological response to different types of lines:
1.Curved lines suggest comfort and ease 2.Horizontal lines suggest distance and calm
3.Vertical lines suggest height and strength 4.Jagged lines suggest turmoil and anxiety
The way we draw a line can convey different expressive qualities:
1.Freehand lines can express the personal energy and mood of the artist
2.Mechanical lines can express a rigid control
3.Continuous lines can lead the eye in certain directions
4.Broken lines can express the ephemeral or the insubstantial
5.Thick lines can express strength
6. Thin lines can express delicacy

Line as tone and form Line as texture Line as structure Line as movement

Line as abstraction Line as emotion Line as form Line as energy

Shape can be natural or man-made, regular or irregular, flat (2-dimensional) or solid (3-dimensional), representational or abstract,
geometric or organic, transparent or opaque, positive or negative, decorative or symbolic, colored, patterned or textured.
1.The Perspective of Shapes: The angles and curves of shapes appear to change depending on our viewpoint. The
technique we use to describe this change is called perspective drawing.
2.The Behavior of Shapes: Shapes can be used to control your feelings in the composition of an artwork:
a. Squares and Rectangles can portray strength and stability.
b. Circles and Ellipses can represent continuous movement
c. Triangles can lead the eye in an upward movement
d.Inverted Triangles can create a sense of imbalance and tension

Th
ree Dimensional Shapes: Anthony Caro uses industrial beams,
bars,
Twopipes, sectionsShapes: Most
Dimensional and steel plate which
of the he see
art we cuts, bends,
is two-
welds, bolts and occasionally paints to form the shapes
dimensional: a drawing, a painting, a print or a photograph for his
constructed
which is metal sculptures.
usually viewed You
as acanflatwalk aroundMost
surface. and between
two-
these three-dimensional
dimensional art tries abstract
to createforms
the to interact
illusion of with
threethe
changing relationships
dimensions of their
by combining thedelicately balanced
visual elements to astructures
greater
or lesser degree

In 'Still Life with a Peach and

Representational art is the blanket term we use to describe
Two Green Pears' Cézanne tilts the perspective of the
any artwork whose shapes are drawn with some degree of
plate towards the picture plane. This has the effect of
visual accuracy. Realism, however, is not the sole objective
of representational art. It can be stylized with various levels flattening the composition and emphasizing the abstract
of detail, from a simple monochrome outline to a fully outline of its shapes.
rendered form with color, tone, pattern and texture

Geometric Shapes were
Positive Shape: This is the originally formed mechanically using a ruler or
actual physical form of any shape. Negative Shape: This compass. However today, even the most complex
the space between and around the physical form of any geometric forms can be easily created using digital
shape.
imaging software.

Organic Shapes are usually

natural, irregular and freeform in character. You can see
them in the patterns of growth and decay in nature; in the
shapes of seeds, plants, leaves, flowers, fruit, trees,
Transparent Shapes allow light to
branches; and in the ephemeral forms of clouds and water. pass through so that you are able to see what lies beyond them.

Reflective Shapes reflect light to create a mirror image of what

is reflected on their surface. Opaque Shapes absorb light but
also reflect some of it as color. As light is not able to pass
through them, you are unable to see through them.

Symbolic Shapes: A
symbol is an object or sign that represents an identity, a
belief, a concept or an activity. Decorative Shapes: All
Perspective Drawing is the technique
decorative forms are based on either Nature or Geometry or
a combination of both. Within each of these categories lies a that artists use to calculate the angles of a three
huge range of styles that cross historical, geographic and dimensional shape when drawing it on a two dimensional
cultural of different countries. surface.
20 Characteristics of Great Art Teachers
1. They love kids
2. They love art. ...
3. They are passionate about the
profession. ...
4. They are dedicated. ...
5. They are energetic. ...
6. They are creative. ...
7. They are organized planners. ...
8. They are advocates for the arts.
9. They are collaborators and communicators
THE FIVE STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT IN
CHILDREN’S ART
1.The Scribble Stage
The first stage occurs when the child manipulates a
drawing tool and makes random marks, dots, and
lines on the drawing surface. He will scribble and
manipulate the drawing tool with little or no concern
for the appearance of the marks he makes.
There are three scribble stages:
1.random 2. Controlled 3.naming
Children like to scribble because
it gives them a chance to move
their arms around freely. The act
of scribbling is purely kinesthetic
and imaginative. Don’t waste
money on coloring books, they
can actually inhibit children’s
creativity. They are much better
off with a large sheet of paper
and a fat, dark crayon.
2. The Pre-Schematic Stage
The second, or pre-schematic stage, is entered
when the child produces his first representative
symbols for objects in his environment. These
symbols are formed with circles, squares, and lines.
The symbols change frequently. The pictures have a
“floating organization and the
paper may be turned many
times while drawing. Later, the
symbols may be organized
horizontally. The pre-schematic
stage refers to that stage when
he child is drawing his first
symbols, but has not yet
developed “schema”. Generally
from 3 to 7 years of age.
 10. They are leaders
 11. They are lifelong learners
12. They are artists
13. They are inspirational
14. They are reflective
15. They are enthusiastic
16. They work hard to engage their students
17. They are funny
18. They are building relationships
19. They are grit
20. They are happy
3. The Schematic Stage
The main characteristics of this stage are the
repetition of symbols for familiar objects, and the
use of the base-line. The term “schema” refers to
the habitually repeated symbol for an object.
Examples of such schema are the drawings of
people, or a series of houses or buildings which are
all drawn the same.
4. The Transitional Stage
This is the stage in which the maturing child,
usually 9 years or older, attempts to produce art
work that meets adult
standards; yet he still
produces works which
unintentionally contain
many characteristics of
the schematic stage. For
instance, a picture may
include a natural looking
of nature like trees and
mountains in a distance.
5. The Realism Stage
The stage of realism is entered when the child is
producing art work in the manner of adult artists. In
general, the child is 12 or older. Considerable
control over the medium, content, and organization
is evident. The figures become natural in
appearance, or are intentionally stylized. The
consistent use of many organizational devices is
also quite evident in the art work produced during
this stage, such as overlapping, diminishing size,
placement on the picture plane, and linear and
aerial perspective. It is at this stage that the child
becomes most critical and self conscious about their
ability to produce realistic artwork.
 The Visual Element of Tone defines the lightness
or darkness
The Visual of aofcolor.
Element The tonal
Color has values of an
the strongest effect
on our emotions. It is the element we useexpressive
artwork can be adjusted to alter its to create the
moodcharacter.
or atmosphere of an artwork.
There are many different approaches to the use of color
in art:Tone can be used:
 to create a contrast of light and dark.
 Color as light
 Color
 toascreate
tone the illusion of form.
 Color as pattern
  toascreate
Color form a dramatic or tranquil atmosphere.
 Color as symbol
 to create a sense of depth and distance.to
 Colorcreate
as movement
a rhythm or pattern within a
 Colorcomposition.
as harmony
 Color as contrast
 Toneasasmood
Color contrast of light and dark.
'Basket of Fruit' is a striking display of
Color issummer
the sensation that isuncharacteristically
fruit that, stimulated in our brain by
differentfor Caravaggio,
wavelengths of light. One wavelength
appears dark againstwill
stimulate our perception of red, another orange, another
yellow anda light
so onbackground.
through all the colors of the spectrum.

Color as a Visual Element of Art

 3. Element of Contrast.
Contrast is when different
elements of design are
juxtaposed with each other
in order to draw attention to
the different element.

4. Pattern as
Repetition refers to one
Art as Tone object or shape
repeated; pattern is a
combination of elements or
shapes repeated in a
Tone as Drama recurring and regular
The painting of 'Guernica' is the depiction of arrangement; rhythm--is a
combination of elements
the artist's horror at the bombing of the small
repeated, but with variations.
Basque village during the Spanish civil
war. Pablo Picasso painted this huge canvas 5.Pattern as Decoration.
to focus international attention on this barbaric The Pattern and Decoration
act. movement consisted of artists,
many of whom had art
education backgrounds, who
had been involved with the
abstract schools of art of the
1960s. The westernized, male
dominated climate of artistic
thought throughout Modernism
had led to a marginalization of
what was considered non-
Western and feminine.

The Visual Element of Color 

The Visual Element of Pattern is constructed by
repeating or echoing the elements of an artwork to
communicate a sense of balance, harmony, contrast,
rhythm or movement. There are two basic types of
pattern in art: Natural Pattern and Man-Made
Pattern. Both natural and man-made patterns can be
regular or irregular, organic or geometric, structural or
decorative, positive or negative and repeating or
 .

1. Landscape pattern-

 analysis involves quantifying the

spatial heterogeneity of The Visual Element of Texture 
point patterns, linear networks, defines the surface quality of an artwork - the
continuous surface patterns, and roughness or smoothness of the material from which
categorical patch mosaics, and it is made.
sometimes custom hybridizations 1. Optical Texture: An artist may use his/her skillful
of these basic models, although painting technique to create the illusion of texture.
the focus in landscape ecology 2. Physical Texture: An artist may paint with expressive
and of this article has been on brushstrokes whose texture conveys the physical and
The Visual Elementpatch
of Form  relates to the
mosaics. Form emotional energy of both the artist and his/her subject.
as Construction
physical volume of a 2. Pattern
shape as space that it
and the 3. Ephemeral
Constructed Texture:
form refers to This is a third
the various category of
techniques youtextures
can
occupies. Environmentalism use whose
to buildfleeting formsAare
a sculpture. subject
work may beto change like clouds,
constructed from a
Both are spatial repeating smoke,
single flames,
material bubbles
or may and
explore anliquids.
interesting combination of
patterns. Drawings
Form can be representational of
or abstract. different materials.
such patterns use the Form as Land Art
Land Art, also classified as Earth Art or Earthworks, took
Form generally referssame understanding
to sculpture, 3D design
sculptural form out of the galleries and into the landscape
and architecture butneeded
may also torelate to the using the natural materials of the locality to create the work.
illusion of 3D on a 2D surface.
draw rectangular grids. Such artworks are often designed for a particular site which
Students may comment may be small or vast in scale.
Three-Dimensionalonly Form can
on the be modelled
pattern in one
(added form), carved (subtracted
direction, form) and
for example,
constructed (built form). It can be
describing thecreated
wall in from
the
sculptural materials first
like clay, wax, plaster,
image as "small
wood, stone, concrete,
brick,cast bigand constructed
brick, repeated";
metal, plastics, resins, glass and
others may recognizemixed media.it Form as Kinetic Art
as repeating in two The genre of kinetic art, which involves the movement of
Two-Dimensional Form constructs
dimensions and the illusion
forming form, began to evolve in the early part of the 20th century
of 3D in 2D media by a skillful manipulation of
a tessellation. when Dadaism widened the frame of reference as to what
the visual elements. Perspective drawing, could be considered art.
trompe l'oeil [1], 3D computer graphics
programs and holograms are examples of 2D
form. `

1.Form as Carving- Carving is a process of

subtracting form from a solid block of material by
the techniques of cutting, chiselling or filing. Stone
and wood are the principal materials used for
carving, each of which has its own qualities,
strengths and weaknesses as a medium.
Philosophy and Value of Art in the 21st Century
Art is an important and treasured mode of human expression
throughout history. Art plays many important roles in our lives. It
captures memories, communicates ideas, shapes values and evokes
emotions. It exists all around us in different forms; from the colours,
shapes and patterns in nature to everyday images and designs on