Painting is the use of colors, lines, tones and textures to produce a visual representation of a natural scene or object, a figure or landscape, a narrative, or even an abstraction – traditionally on a flat surface. Artistic expression through painting dates back to prehistoric cave paintings and has evolved through the centuries to include a wide range of styles. Artists use their unique creative vision and technical skills to produce a final work that expresses emotion and mood.
A painter must be adept at various techniques to create a work of art. He must be able to visualize the finished product and execute each step in a sequence that will coalesce into a cohesive, expressive piece. The multi-step process can be challenging and time consuming, requiring patience as the paint dries between each step. An artist must also have faith that the planned steps will coalesce into a harmonious, expressive work, despite the fact that a painting may look disjointed or “ugly” at certain stages.
One of Vermeer’s greatest achievements is the opulent studio interior in which he painted The Art of Painting and Las Meninas. This painting demonstrates the virtuosity of his mastery of linear perspective and chiaroscuro to fool the eye into perceiving depth, solidity and the effects of light. It also asserts the painter’s privileged role in revealing and shaping knowledge in a period newly preoccupied with visual modes of apprehending the world.
Incorporating different materials and papers into your painting adds texture, depth and complexity. This technique allows the artist to enhance the narrative and evoke emotional response from the viewer. Varying the edges (torn, straight or shaped) of these elements further enhances the visual interest and accentuates the sense of depth in the composition.
Applying layers of paint over one another increases the color intensity and builds dimension in a painting. It also provides a structure to support the development of detail and texture.
Modern painters often incorporate unconventional materials like metal, plastic, straw, sand, cement and wood for their texture. Incorporating these elements into the work of art gives a unique and textural quality to the image and can be used to depict different textures such as skin, foliage or fabrics.
Using different sized brushes and applying multiple layers of paint over one another can add depth to your painting, creating an image with dimension and texture. Applying a thin layer of paint then allowing it to dry before applying a thicker layer beneath, reveals interesting contrasts and highlights the texture of the paint underneath. This subtractive technique can also be used to create intricate patterns and contrasts.
Incorporating illegible script and symbols into your painting can add mystery, depth and abstraction to your artwork. This technique can be particularly effective in depicting characters or objects that are mysterious or unidentified. Alternatively, use stencils and masking techniques to create clean, precise shapes and patterns that contribute to the overall structure and design of your painting.