Art Made Simple(r): A Brief Look at the Principles of Visual Art

Art Made Simple(r)

Art can often seem confusing, intellectualized, and distant to the lay viewer. Often artists have constructed complicated theories that surround their work, but which may not always be intelligibly communicated through the finished product. For these, and other reasons, modern art has become largely inaccessible to the greater public. The important thing for people to realize and reconnect to is that good art should evoke a visceral reaction in the viewer, and that the viewer must be ready and willing to explore that reaction. The responsibility of the viewer does not end here, but it does provide a good starting point for open communication between the artist and audience.

While knowing about the specific theories and thoughts of the artist when viewing a piece should be largely unnecessary to having a good viewing experience, knowing something about art in general can go a long way to intensifying that experience. The fact of the matter is that most artists practice the use of a few simple principles consciously or unconsciously, and therefore these principles make up a fundamental part of their process. As a viewer, knowing these principles represents a part of the responsibility that must be met if all parties (artist, art, and audience) are to get a fair dialogue.

Following, I have put together a brief two-part primer on basic artistic principles, explained through a series of examples lifted from the history of Western art. Where possible, links have been included where you can look at the examples for yourself.

Color may be the first thing that people think of when they think of art. Nearly everyone sees color in some form, and most people even have a favorite color. Color can suggest warmth and comfort or cold austerity. Color, in reality, is a quality of perceived light. When light falls upon objects, some colors of the visible spectrum become absorbed by the materials we are looking at, and some are reflected. The absorbed colors become the colors perceived by our eyes.