Filipino Artists and Painting Techniques

National Artists of the Philippines (Painting)

• Fernando Amorsolo was considered one of the most important artists in the history of Philippine painting and was regarded as the Father of Philippine Realism.
• His major works include "The Burning of Manila", "Dalagang Bukid", "Planting Rice", "Princess Urduja", and "Sikatuna".
• Carlos V. Francisco (also known as Botong) was a muralist from Angono, Rizal, and single-handedly revived the forgotten art of mural painting.
• His major works include "Blood Compact", "First Mass of Limasawa", "The Martyrdom of Rizal", "Bayanihan", "Magpupukot", and "Fiesta".
• Benedicto R. Cabrera was a 2006 National Artist, known for being "arguably the best-selling painter of his generation of Filipino artists".
• His major works include "Bali", "Cordillera", "Edo", "Familia", "Larawan", and "Sabel".
• Jose T. Joya was a Filipino abstract artist, printmaker, and mixed media artist, and former dean of the UP College of Fine Arts.
• Federico Aguilar was a 2009 National Artist, an acrylic and oil painter, as well as an abstract sculptor producing ceramics, tapestries, and relief sculpture.
• Francisco Coching was a 2014 National Artist, known as the "Dean of Filipino Illustrators" and a master storyteller.
• His major works include "Lapu-Lapu", "Sagisag ng Lahing Pilipino", "Marabini", "Haring Ulupong", "Pusakal", "Talipandas", and "El Vibora".
• Cesar Legaspi was a Filipino painter who made use of the geometric fragmentation technique, weaving social comment and juxtaposing the mythical and modern into his overlapping, interacting forms.

Mediums of Painting

• Oil Painting: uses ground pigments mixed with linseed oil and turpentine or thinner, long-lasting, slow-drying, easy to handle, and capable of being corrected.
• Fresco Painting: uses earth pigments mixed with water and applied to fresh plaster or glue, durable, and long-lasting.
• Water Color: uses pigments mixed with water and applied to fine white paper, colors are applied in thin layers, and brilliance comes from the ground.
• Tempera: uses ground pigments mixed with an albuminous or colloidal vehicle (egg yolk, gum, or casein), readily dries with the evaporation of water, and is an advantage.
• Acrylic: uses synthetic paints mixed with a vehicle capable of being thinned with water.
• Pastel: uses pastel colors closely resembling dry pigments bound to form crayons, directly applied to the surface, often paper, and difficult to preserve.
• Encaustic: uses hot wax as a vehicle to bind pigments to a wooden panel or a wall.

Methods of Presenting the Subject

• Realism: presents subjects as they appear in real life, accurate and naturalistic representation.
• Surrealism: presents subjects as if they do not form part of the real world, but belong to the world of dreams and fantasy.
• Fauvism: presents real-life subjects with bright colors, suggesting comfort, joy, and pleasure.
• Symbolism: presents subjects symbolically, letting them represent something beyond their literal meaning.
• Impressionism: presents subjects based on the artist's impression, often capturing light and atmosphere.
• Expressionism: presents subjects emotionally, emphasizing the artist's feelings and emotions.
• Futurism: presents subjects in a futuristic or futuristic context.
• Dadaism: presents subjects in a shocking or provocative manner, often to expose the evils in society.