Learning to Appreciate Art
Posted: Wednesday, May 13, 2009
by Jeanene Stein
Giclee Prints by Jeanene
Do You Stop to Appreciate What You Are Seeing? The first time that I began to appreciate drawing and art was when I was a little girl. I used to sketch pictures of my friends. Color always fascinated me. So when I took my first painting class in oil, I said this was the most enjoyable thing I had ever done. Then I began to study the artwork of famous artist. I began to see how they applied it to the canvas and also where and when they would use the color. Some used it sparingly others seemed to just let it go and it landed everywhere on their canvas, always with good design however. But by studying the work of others, I also learned how to appreciate artwork.
As you begin to form opinions about the art you are viewing and your different reactions to it, you will learn to recognize the major and minor differences in the variations of colors and shapes that make you appreciate the work and why it is so appealing to you.
Research the Art That You Like Now that you have an understanding of the colors, shapes and styles that interest you the most, you might research these further to see if they represent a specific art style or a particular form of art that you like.
For example in paintings, it could be abstracts, figurative or a combination of colors and themes that represent a definite pattern and style of painting.
As you begin to do your research, it will cause you to be aware of your likes and dislikes of visual art. We so often are truly affected by color.
Perhaps early in life you had exposure to different forms of art that left a significant impression on you. Once you are equipped with the knowledge of the different styles of art, you should feel confident to decide to what your personally is attracted.
Try Keeping an Art Journal A very important tool that can help to refine your art sense is to keep an art journal. Before you get discouraged in doing this, may I say that it is the simplest form of keeping a diary. It is a log of the art pieces that you see and your reaction to each piece. This log can be an important means in refining and enriching your unique art sense.
The whole purpose of art appreciation is to open oneself to be receptive to new experiences and creations. You will be amazed when you read your own art log as time passes to see your tastes change over time to different themes and styles. Always remember that the objective appreciation is to recognize and understand your own love of art.
Journaling is one way to really help to see things as they really are. As you read back over what you have written, it will bring up memories of something that really thrilled you and perhaps you even put a note as to where it was located. You might think, "Oh I really loved that piece. Why didn't I buy it while it was available in the store. I have done that and really kicked my self for missing out on something that would work so very well with the rest of my collection.
TAKE A FRIEND ALONG ON YOUR SHOPPING SPREE Can't decide if it's right for that wall, or for my collection, or whether it really is me. The person you have brought along should be a good friend who really knows you. Then they can help tell you if it is really you or not.
They can tell you if they think you should invest or that they think it would be a mistake and not look right at all once you get it hung. Usually, they will be honest as it is not their money or their mistake if it is not you.
Don't be a pest, but sometimes it is good to even get a third option if you are not sure. Its OK when you allow your self the liberty to bounce something off of others, it causes you to think more clearly what you should do. After all aren't we all usually undecided about the whole situation?
Its OK to allow our insecurities show a little bit. It empowers the person you are asking to be more frank about their opinion. But for heaven's sake, make a decision. Don't go home without a purchase. Again if it's not right, you will know it when you hang it. But definitely have a great time and enjoy your art.
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