Art Appreciation Lecture 3

Art Appreciation Lecture 3

• Drawing is a plan for what the artist envisions.
• There are three types of drawing: simple sketches, preparation drawings for larger works, and complete artworks created by drawing.
• Line is a crucial element in drawing.
• Famous artists like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci used effective lines in their works.
• Drawing materials include pencils (with various types and grades), chalk (for varying light and shadow), ink (for combining line and shading), and silver pointed rods (historically used).

Pencil Types

• Graphite pencils
• Propelling pencils
• Mechanical pencils

Pencil Grades

• Pencil grades (e.g., 9B, 2B, 6H) represent varying degrees of hardness and darkness.

Shapes and Shadows

• Shading methods are techniques to create depth and volume.
• Core shadows are the deepest shadows on an object.
• Basic shapes (e.g., spheres, cubes, cones) are fundamental for creating more complex forms.
• Understanding relationships between shapes is vital for illustrating three-dimensional form.
• Positioning objects and understanding eye-level perspectives enhance the realism of artistic representations.

Light Rays and Shadows

• Light rays illuminate objects, creating highlights, midtones, core shadows, and cast shadows.
• Understanding the direction and interplay of light is essential for creating realistic artistic representations.

Painting

• Painting involves applying various colored materials to surfaces to create visual art.
• Essential painting elements include the surface area (square or rectangular), proportion, texture, light, and shadow, as well as dimension and depth.
• Notable painting types include murals (applied on walls and ceilings).
  • Within this type, fresco paintings use wet plaster and colors while creating, while tempera paintings utilize pigments mixed with egg or glue on dry surfaces.

Important Artists and Works

• Michelangelo:
  • Painted the Sistine Chapel ceiling (between 1508-1512).
  • Created significant sculptures like Moses, the Pietà, and David.
• Leonardo da Vinci:
  • Created famed works like the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper.
  • Known for intricate anatomical studies, inventions, and diverse artistic talents.
• Rembrandt:
  • A significant seventeenth-century artist famous for oil paintings.

Materials Used in Painting

• Oil paints (oil as the main medium)
• Watercolor (water as the main medium)
• Pastels (chalk and glue as the main medium)
• Gouache (water and colored oxides as the main medium)
• Acrylics (plastic colors; water as the main medium)

Tempera

• An ancient form of painting used by Egyptians.
• Consists of a layer of gypsum, sand, and organic glue or eggs.