Documentos de Académico
Documentos de Profesional
Documentos de Cultura
• Study skills
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Cover illustration Caroline Firenza. Other images courtesy Bridgeman Art Library
Looking at other artists
One of the most important aspects of developing as an artist or
photographer is to look at other artists’ work. This guide will help you
make the best of every image you look at, train your visual awareness
and develop your visual skills.
Time taken to browse exhibitions, books and internet galleries is not time
wasted. It will feed your imagination and develop your technique.
In the bath
Edgar Degas
Visiting exhibitions
Try to see as many exhibitions as possible. It doesn’t matter if the work isn’t of the
highest order. There is much to learn even from not-so-good art. In many images
even if the whole picture isn’t completely successful, a part of it may be interesting.
In others the idea behind the art may be a revelation even when it hasn’t been
successfully carried out. You may see images where artists have been struggling
with the same problems that you are experiencing and through their failure see
possible solutions. In an exhibition by local artists or photographers you may see
local subjects to paint or photograph whose possibilities hadn’t occurred to you
before.
When you visit a gallery or museum, decide whether to look at everything, tiring
yourself and as a consequence taking nothing in, or whether to be selective. If you
are going to a large exhibition, it is often better to quickly walk round the whole
exhibition and then go back to focus on just the few that really drew your
attention. See if there is a guide book, postcards or if you can take photographs.
Argentine
Anthony Caro
Be prepared to be surprised
You may go to look at paintings but find the sculpture or the garden every bit as
rewarding. Don’t in any case ignore the building in which the paintings are being
shown. Ask yourself how well the works of art relate to their environment.
Don’t forget to take a sketchbook and notebook with you whenever you make a
visit. It is also a good idea to take a friend who may be able to give a valuable
second view on what you see, and discuss the exhibits with you.
A page or two of notes about each visit will be a valuable addition to your learning
log.
Consider the composition. Is it harmonious and unified? What are the proportions
like (the different elements of the composition in relation to each other)? How
much variety and emphasis is there? Is there a comfortable balance in the work? Is
there rhythm and movement?
• Once you have analysed the elements, try to second guess what the artist
intended. What do you think the artist was trying to convey? This is the most
challenging part of looking at art, and is called interpretation.
• Finally, draw your conclusions. This is much more to do with your personal
response to the work. How does it make you feel? What reaction do you have to
the elements and composition? Does the work feed your imagination? Does it
intrigue you or does it leave you cold?
Below the line jot down anything about the painting that can’t be worked out from
looking at it but needs further research – things like its date, whether it was
commissioned, whether there are other similar examples by the same artist, where
they are, and so on.
Annotated postcards and drawings of images can be included in your learning log.
If you keep your learning log online you can copy and paste images into
your blog, but make sure you acknowledge the sources for copyright
reasons.
Selecting art books
How should you go about selecting what books you should choose?
Your individual tastes, your tutor’s advice and the availability of books will be
determining factors. Modern art books nearly always have great quality illustrations
in them, and the books you will want to keep will almost certainly be those packed
with large good quality illustrations that you can use for reference for many years.
In that sense art books are great investments. Don’t feel that any book you buy or
borrow has to be read from cover to cover. If you do read a book on art, make
notes about it in your learning log to remind you of the key points. Don’t forget
there are several good sources of second hand art books to buy on the internet.
Look at the resources section of the OCA website for suggestions of art
and photography websites to visit. You need to be logged in to access
the information.
A seated male nude twisting around
Michelangelo
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