Painting is the art of creating artwork with pigments on a surface such as canvas, paper or wood. This two dimensional visual language can convey a sense of volume, space, movement and light. It can also interpret a specific subject, idea or emotion. It is often a way to celebrate life and the beauty of nature, to tell a story or to share ideas. Whether a work of art is abstract, figurative or surreal, the artist uses a variety of colors, textures, and techniques to express their unique vision.
There are many different forms of painting, but it can generally be broken down into three basic elements: the medium used, the technique employed and the subject depicted. The choice of medium is based on the artist’s preferred style or effect, such as a smooth or textured finish. The choice of technique is influenced by the subject matter and/or artistic intentions, such as realistic representation or abstract composition. Finally, the choice of subject matter is a reflection of the artist’s personal experiences and/or influences.
Traditionally, paintings were made with either tempera or fresco, oil, acrylic or other water-based paints, watercolor or gouache, and/or encaustic. Each of these options has its own sensuous qualities and expressive possibilities. In addition, the choice of a form such as mural, easel, panel, miniature, scroll, screen or fan, or a combination of these can influence the way a painting is constructed.
When the medium is dry, an artist can apply additional layers of color using a variety of tools such as brushes, a palette knife or even their fingers. This is known as sgraffito and allows for a unique effect by scratching through the paint to reveal patterns or shapes beneath it. It can be particularly effective in achieving texture.
The history of the art of painting has been marked by a continuous process of evolution. Early cultural traditions of tribes, religions, guilds and royal courts developed their own ideals and established techniques for expressing the world around them. Later, the painters of the Renaissance and the Impressionists sought to achieve more naturalistic effects while modernist painters used abstraction as a way to break free from the constraints of traditional realism.
Today, the definition of what a painting is has become more complicated as artists have moved away from traditional materials and have embraced mixed media ideas that include elements such as photography and digital technology. Nevertheless, there is still a broad consensus that an image created by applying pigments to a surface with a brush or a roller constitutes a painting. Some works, such as Jackson Pollock’s drip paintings, are so abstract that they do not resemble any object or scene at all and can be classified as pure abstraction. Others, such as Mark Rothko’s monumental color-field paintings, use a limited number of pigments and are highly recognizable as a painting. Regardless of how a work is classified, it is important that it inspires the viewer to think about the artist’s intent and the deeper meaning behind the piece.