Painting & Architecture: Core Concepts in Art
Painting: Core Concepts
Basic Painting Materials
Pigment: Coloring agent (natural or synthetic).
Binder: Substance that holds pigment together and allows it to adhere to surfaces.
Tempera: Paint using egg yolk as a binder; fast-drying.
Fresco: Painting on wet plaster; used in murals (e.g., Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel).
Oil Paint: Slow-drying, rich colors; allows blending and layering.
Watercolor: Transparent paint using water as a solvent.
Acrylic: Fast-drying, plastic-based paint.
Mixed Media: Using more than one medium in a single artwork.
Elements of Painting
Line
Open Lines: Flow freely, suggest movement or openness.
Closed Lines: Contain or define shapes; more structured.
Color
Primary Colors: Red, Yellow, Blue.
Secondary Colors: Green, Orange, Purple (from mixing primaries).
Saturation: The intensity or purity of a color.
Value: The lightness or darkness of a color.
Complementary Colors: Colors opposite on the color wheel (e.g., blue/orange).
Texture: The surface feel (real or implied) of a painting.
Principles of Composition
Balance
Symmetry: Equal visual weight on both sides.
Asymmetry: Unequal but still balanced visually.
Gradation: Gradual change (color, size, shape, etc.).
Emphasis: The focal point; what draws the eye.
Movement & Rhythm: The sense of motion or pattern within the work.
Proportion: Size relationships between elements.
Unity & Variety: Cohesion in diversity.
Space and Shapes
2D (Two-Dimensional): Flat surface, height and width only.
3D (Three-Dimensional): Height, width, and depth (often associated with sculpture).
Perspective
One-Point Perspective: All lines converge to a single vanishing point (e.g., used by Leonardo da Vinci).
Abstract (Non-Representational): Art not aiming to depict real objects.
Representational Art: Art depicting real-world subjects.
Sensa: The pure, immediate experience of seeing.
Notable Artists and Concepts
Leonardo da Vinci: Known for Mona Lisa, scientific approach, and mastery of perspective.
Frida Kahlo: Famous for self-portraits, emotional depth, and symbolism.
Rembrandt van Rijn: Master of light and shadow, renowned for portraiture.
Vincent van Gogh: Characterized by expressive brushwork (impasto) and emotional content.
Pablo Picasso: Co-founder of Cubism, known for abstraction.
Banksy: Anonymous street artist known for satire; works include Dismaland and Love is in the Bin.
Damien Hirst: Contemporary artist; notable works include For the Love of God (diamond skull).
Additional Painting Concepts
Implied Line: A line not explicitly drawn but suggested visually.
Impasto: Thick application of paint, creating texture.
Portrait: An artwork focusing on a person or group of people.
Landscape: A depiction of natural scenery.
History Painting: Depicts historical, mythological, or biblical scenes.
Propaganda Art: Art used to persuade or influence public opinion.
Didactic Art: Art made to instruct or teach a lesson.
Additive/Subtractive Sculpture: Techniques involving building up or removing material.
Installation Art: Three-dimensional artworks that transform a specific space.
Architecture: Key Principles
Major Building Types
Temple: A religious building, often classical in style.
Cathedral: A large Christian church, often Gothic in style (e.g., Notre Dame).
Notre Dame de Paris: A famous Gothic cathedral featuring flying buttresses (external supports).
Architectural Concepts
The Four Necessities of Architecture
Technical Requirement: Materials and structural integrity.
Function: The intended use of the building.
Spatial Requirements: How space is organized and utilized.
Revelation of Form: The aesthetic and expressive qualities.
Key Architectural Terms
Post and Lintel: A horizontal beam supported by vertical posts (e.g., ancient Greek temples).
Pediment: The triangular gable forming the top of a building’s front facade.
Parthenon: An ancient Greek temple dedicated to the goddess Athena.
Flying Buttress: An external arched support used in Gothic cathedrals.
Modern Architecture
Seagram Building: A prominent Modernist skyscraper located in New York City.
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe: Influential Modernist architect, known for the maxim “less is more.”
Frank Lloyd Wright: Pioneer of Organic Architecture, famous for Fallingwater.
Cantilever: A projecting structure supported at only one end (e.g., used in Fallingwater).
Architectural Styles
Earth-Rooted Architecture: Blends harmoniously with the surrounding landscape.
Earth-Resting Architecture: Sits on the earth without necessarily blending into it.
Earth-Dominating Architecture: Imposes its presence upon nature (e.g., castles).
Sky-Oriented Architecture: Reaches toward the heavens (e.g., cathedrals, skyscrapers).
Contemporary & Other Concepts
Fractal Architecture: Incorporates complex, repeating geometric patterns.
Skyscraper: A very tall, multi-story building, characteristic of urban development.