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Understanding Colour in Visual Art

October 7th, 2011 6:09 am

Throughout history, humans have associated colour with their experiences, their joys, hopes, pleasures and sadness. And many artists use colour to express themselves more forcefully than the image alone can do. They might express hope by a light yellow against a dark background or lovers’ passion by the radiance of the sun. But whilst a visual artist needs to study colour theory and the use of colour as a means of expression, for the viewer, a formal understanding of colour does nothing to enhance the appreciation of an artwork or affect their instinctive reaction to it.

Many articles on colour try to explain the theory of colour as if by understanding colour theory the viewer can better appreciate the art. But a human’s reaction to certain colours is a fundamental biological response. We are, of course, also influenced by colour associations from our culture and, very importantly, our own individual preferences. So an understanding of colour theory will not affect our personal response to a particular painting. And whilst the ideas and inspiration behind a particular painting are a very important element in our appreciation of a work of art, the specific colours and how they are used together are also a major part of our emotional response to what we see.

Sometimes the initial emotional response to the colours is so strong that it can make us instantly like, or dislike, a work. This is often the case when the artist has used a colour specifically to express a strong emotion rather than the natural colour of an object in the painting. Or has used an unnatural colour for a familiar object.

It is well known that colour can be used by an artist to create a calming effect, or to draw the viewer’s eye to a particular part of the composition. And everyone is familiar with the concept of “warm” and “cool” colours. Warm colours such as red and orange appear closer to the viewer and cool colours such as blue and green appear to recede.

Colour can also be used to create the illusion of movement and excitement in a painting when the artist uses extremes of colour very close together. Our eyes can also perceive a visual rhythm by the use of alternating sequences of colour.

In visual art, colour should create a balanced visual experience. Without balance or harmony, the art is either too bland and doesn’t engage or excite the viewer or it is too loud and demanding and the viewer simply turns away.

There are some of the emotions and effects an artist is trying to represent with various colours through Colour Symbolism. But it is important to remember that all colours can provoke positive and negative reactions depending on their context. And the experience and culture of those viewing them can affect their perception of the artist’s message. Colours are capable of so many variations that making absolute statements about meaning is impossible, which is why an understanding of the artist’s inspiration and intentions in a painting add to our appreciation and enjoyment of a work of art.

How to Find the Best Oil Paintings For Sale

August 3rd, 2011 12:56 pm

Depending on one’s budget and tastes, there are many choices available in today’s oil painting market. Fine art auction houses exist in most American cities, and may be a good starting point for serious collectors and people buying art as an investment. Some of the most beautiful pieces of art or oil paintings for sale in local art studios and major art galleries all across the world. This style of painting is truly an amazing site to see. To see an artist take a blank canvas and armed with nothing but paint, paint brush, and creativity create a masterpiece.

Oil painting is something that is both taught and is also a talent that some or born with. It requires a certain set of skills that can be taught and some passion that you must already be equipped with. A steady hand and a open mind or just two of many abilities some one must possess if the what to be considered a skilled oil painter.

Most all painting done in this style or done on stretched canvases made of either cotton or linen. Choosing the right canvas can be just as important as choosing the right paint. If not done with a careful eye it can be a disaster waiting to happen.

Canvases come in a wide variety of different sizes and designed. Depending on what you are painting you can choose a stapled or spline canvas. You can also choose a less expensive rolled canvas that you have to stretch yourself. Stretching out a canvas also requires skill, it is a tricky process to pull off at first but with enough practice you will be able to pull it off with your eyes blind folded.

When you are looking at oil paintings you can purchase you want to pay close attention to the details that not only went into the painting itself, but also the frame work. Although the frame only hold the painting; if the painting is not placed in the frame correctly with care you could find yourself paying to have your artwork re-stretched and re-framed which could become real costly.

If you are looking for the best way to purchase you oil paintings you have a couple of options to choose from. The traditional method which is going in person to various auctions, art galleries, or your area art shop. This is always a good option to choose because if you buy the painting in person you can take the time to exam and inspect the quality of the art you are buy before you make the purchase.

Another popular method of acquire oil art is buy visiting the information super highway. When you shopping online you may not be able to inspect the product but you get to choose from a much larger selection of galleries and stores. The world wide web allows you to sit in the comfort of your bed room in Miami Florida and shop a exclusive art gallery in Melbourne Australia.

Sale oil paintings gallery have more than 1,000 master oil painting artists, they just offers oil paintings for sale with 100% hand painting oil on canvas at meseum quality, and before shipping, they will show the oil painting pictures to buyer for confirm quality, else they will refund money for buyers lost.