It is time to contemplate the painting as a 'whole'...

First, we must think about the 'genre' of the painting. What general subject 'category' does the painting fall into? This helps us think about the principles of art and how they apply for that particular genre. By doing so we also realize that every art period has contributed in some significant way and that art shows us a slice of society and of civilizations as they changed and evolved. It is important to learn that each period greatly influenced the work of the artist and that the work itself is a reflection of the artists personal and social 'take' on the world of his time.

• Still life
• Landscape
• Portrait
• Cityscapes
• Iconography
• Illuminated Manuscripts
• 'Genre' painting
• Floral still Life
• Seascape
• Architectural
• Wildlife
• Other

 “Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance.” ~ Will Durant

Find the Artistic Period - Understand the Sentiment...

If we only take art at its face value, we may decide too quickly if we like or dislike the work based on the first impression of it. Not every art period will appeal to us, but some will. The following periods in art offer such insight to earlier worlds. Looking for the common threads which link the art forms from any one period together, help explain the 'schools of thought' and will help us gain a richer understanding of that particular rationale. There always lies a method of communication that the artist wants to share with you.

Visit the section Classical Art History on this web site to gain a little insight into some of these artistic periods. Try to recognize where the painting you are observing will fit. This information helps us understand that paintings can be viewed with a certain level of sentiment, changing them into works full of deeper meaning, rather than simply paint applied in an interesting way to a canvas support.

• Antiquity
• Middle Ages
• Byzantine
• Romanesque
• Renaissance
• Mannerist
• Baroque
• Rococo
• Realism
• Neo-Classicism
• Romanticism
• Impressionism
• Modernism

'What is there that confers the noblest delight? What is that which swells a man's breast with pride above that which any other experience can bring to him? Discovery! To know that you are walking where none others have walked' ~ Mark Twain

Where does the painting fit?

Where does the painting fit in regards to the 'Country' of origin and is there any historical merit or meaning behind the scene? Sometimes a painting will show a particular bias towards a certain country, ethnic group or social culture. This may tell us something about the period and perhaps even the interests of the artist who painted the work.

What European Countries were the famous still life painters from? What do still life paintings tell us about society? Do the objects in the painting below tell us about the social status of their owner?	What can you determine about the child's welfare? What emotions are raised when you study the paintings content? Do you think the artist was making a political statement?	Can you detect a specific culture? What does the woman's costume tell you about the social status? What is the mood and what art movement does this mood suggest?

• What Country does it represent?
• Can you detect a specific culture?
• What does the period tell you about the culture?
• What clues in the painting suggest this?
• Can you detect or recognize a specific historical event?
• Was the artist making a political statement?
• What is the meaning behind that statement?
• Do you think you would like to learn more about this event or country?
• Do you feel empathy for the situation?
• If you were born during this period, would you share the same sentiment as the artist?

'The beginning of knowledge is the discovery of something we do not understand'. ~  Frank Herbert

Which School of Art? Can you identify what 'School of thought' the work belongs to?

Every artist will at some time during their life embrace a particular style of painting. This style may follow the works of an earlier master or masters. We know that the artistic periods or movements in history brought us 'schools of thought' where certain groups of artists embraced an ideology or particular rationale.

Usually these 'Schools' were born as either a result of some revolution against artistic restriction or in opposition to the established authority of some Academy, political or social system. They were also created as a response to change or in an attempt to temper a prior strict or restricting rationale. It is very interesting to see how one provoked the other.

Here are some questions you may want to ask yourself as you observe a painting. See if you can connect a school which fits it best.

Does the painting below dictate a 'sentimental vision' for you? How does the art work featured below make you feel?

• What style is the painting?
• Does the style dictate a specific attitude?
• What is the psychology behind the painting's attitude?
• How does this painting differ from others you have seen by the same artist?
• Does the artist dictate a sentimental vision?
• Does the artist allude to a political belief?
• Does the artist allude to a social class?
• How does the art work make you feel?
• Is that feeling aligned with a particular class of society?
• Do you feel empathy or resentment towards that class?
• Is the mood of the painting clear to you?
• Is there a relationship between this painting and that of others from the same period?
• Can you identify a Country of origin?
• Can this help you determine the 'school of thought' of the artist?
• Can you read the cultural values of the period?
• Can you find other works which share the same threads?
• Does the painting make you aware of your social conscience?
• Is there a sense of opulence or high society?
• Is there a double standard in regards to morality?
• Is the artwork devotional?
• Why does it make you aware of your faith?
• What is the story behind the brush?
• Is this a new form of expression?
• Have you seen this common thread before?
• Where?
• Is light and color depicted as it really is?

Vermeer - Here we can see the simple milkmaid in a setting of quiet domestic life. Does this tell us something about the artist Vermeer and how he felt about domestic life?	Frans Hals - It is obvious that the three children in this painting are from a wealthy family. What clues give this away? The artist Frans Hals paints the beauty of the children's costumes with great attention to detail. Perhaps his commission was for a wealthy patron?	Rembrandt - paints an intimate moment between a couple. When we study Rembrandt's personal life we read that he too shared a very loving marriage with his own wife.

Puzzle clue: 10th. letter= S ..... 79th.letter = I

Try to analyze the subject of a painting...

Exercise: What do you think of as 'art' and try to rationalize what makes it 'art' for you.

This exercise will help you identify what is important to you in a composition. If you have not thought about this criterion prior to this exercise, find a painting that you like and write down your personal thoughts in regard to what you like and what you would like to live with in your own home.

• What appeals to you about this work?
• Is it the color, mood, content or the story?
• What is the time of year or season that it was painted in?
• Is this something common to what appeals to you in every art work?
• Do you find the mood of the painting adds value to your life?
• How and why?
• Do you know anything about this artist or their life?
• Is your prior knowledge of the artist what appeals to you about the work?
• If not, will you research and study this artist some more?
• Is it the technical aspects of the work which appeals to you?
• What is it about the technical skills that you admire?
• Is it the overall composition and the elements of the composition that speak to you?
• Does the painting cause you to reflect?
• Does it define the skill you wish to attain?
• Does it inspire your creativity?

Try to analyze the technique of a painting through observation...

As you observe the details of a painting, try to identify the technical elements of the overall design. Look for the organizational principles that the artist used. Can you see where the artist may have used any of the artistic principles of balance, line, color, rhythm, movement, flow, shape, light etc.?

Can you 'see' what and how the artist organized his thoughts and ideas so the elements within the composition create the mood to embrace or attract you the viewer?

Is the painting below balanced? Is there a feeling of movement and rhythm? What was the artist trying to say?	Is the painting below balanced? How does the artist use brushwork? How does the artist use color?	Is the color used in a way to enhance the overall mood? Is there a feeling of movement and rhythm?

Here are some other questions to ask yourself when viewing any painting.

• What was the artist trying to say?
• Why did the artist paint the work?
• What is the mood which the artwork conveys to you?
• What is the 'idea' or 'content' of the painting?
• Is there a feeling of movement and rhythm?
• What is the tempo or beat of that rhythm?
• Does this match and enhance the mood?
• Is the painting balanced?
• How did the artist achieve this balance?
• Is the color harmonious?
• If not, why?
• How does the artist use brushwork?
• Do you find the brushwork interesting to follow or is it distracting?
• Does the artist use brushwork with confidence?
• How does the artist use color?
• Is there anything added to the painting to create an element of shock?
• Is the color used in a way to enhance the overall mood?
• Does this painting inspire you to view more of this artist's work?
• How does the artist use light?
• Is the expression of light used to enhance the mood or subject?

What is Allegory in Art?

		This allegorical painting was designed and created by Artist Neadeen Masters, CDA, one of the founders of the Art Apprentice Online.
'An Artist's Point of View' - Neadeen Masters, CDA
Allegory is an intellectual concept that an artist uses to help them make a point, explain meaning or used to tell a story. The artist will use objects or people or elements in a painting to show certain symbolic reference or meaning, each element acts like the pieces of a puzzle to make the whole statement or express the artist's whole 'abstract' idea. Allegory appeals to the imagination of the viewer, it can lead the viewer to interpret the work literally or symbolically. For example, the early Christian art works of the Middle Ages used allegory to help dispel the pagan adoration of non Christian gods popular amongst the Romans and Greeks. The distinct allegorical reference to Christian doctrine spoke to the common people through symbols which instilled new devotion, respect and fear. It is up to you to read the cryptic message that will enable you to view the work as a 'whole'

'Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought'. ~ Albert Szent-Gyorgyi

What is meant by Symbolism in Art?

Symbolism in art has been used throughout history. It is a way for the artist to include meaning through the use of color, line, design or through the use of symbolic objects within the composition. Early Christian art used symbols of the crucifix to refer to the Resurrection of Christ.

In the image below, the German artist, Georg Flegel has included a large insect at the base of the composition. Insects were often used to symbolize evil, or death or a return to the earth. This composition of a branch of peaches suggests the spoils of the Earth. The bounty of fruit and harvest. At the same time the artist is reminding us that life is short and that all good things come to an end. Everything returns to the earth at some point in time. The walnuts were used to symbolize the wooden cross of the crucifix. The meaty nut of the walnut was also used to symbolize the 'Body of Christ'.

Hidden behind the layers of paint is usually another meaning that we can add to the enjoyment of art.

Georg Flegel, Peach Branch, 1630, German Still Life

'The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery'. ~ Mark van Doren