READING AND VISUAL ART

FIRST SEMESTER

INTRODUCTION TO READING VISUAL ARTS

READING - It is an active and creative process Ex. painting, drawing, sketching, photography,
of looking at a series of written words and computer graphics.
symbols and getting meaning from them. We
draw on our general and specific knowledge, Examples: paintings, sculptures and
tastes and habits, and our personal contexts to architectures
make what we see and make sense of it.
PLASTIC ARTS - visual arts that have length,
VISUAL - any presentation that is attained or width, and volume (three-dimensional arts).
maintained by the sense of sight. Visual details
Ex. sculpture, architecture, interior design,
encourage creation of mental images of a
costume design, theater design, crafting.
subject or work being perceived.
DIVISION OF VISUAL ART ACCORDING
ART - it is derived from Latin word “ars” (skill, . TO ESTOLAS 1995)
craft or ability). It also comes from the Italian
word “artis” which means craftsmanship, skills, MAJOR ARTS - painting, architecture,
mastery of form, inventiveness, and the sculpture, literature, music, dance).
association that exist between form and ideas
and between materials and techniques. Art has MINOR ARTS - (decorative arts, “popular” arts,
different branches of learning concerned with graphic arts, plastic arts, industrial arts).
human thought, feelings, and relations.
ADDITIONAL CLASSIFICATION:
➢ “Art brings life in harmony with the .
beauty of the world.” – Plato VISUAL ARTS - graphic arts and plastic arts.

➢ “Art is an attitude of spirit, a state of PERFORMING ARTS - theatre, play dance,

mind – one which demands for its own music.
satisfaction and fulfilling, a shaping of LITERARY ATRS - short story, poetry, novel,
matter to new and more significant drama.
form.” – John Dewey
POULAR ARTS - film, newspaper, magazine,
➢ “Art is never finished, only abandoned” radio, television.
– Leonardo Da Vinci
GUSTORY ARTS - food preparation, beverage
VISUAL ART preparation.
➢ This produces creative art whose DECORATIVE ARTS - beautification of houses,
products are to be appreciated by offices, cars and other structures.
sight. Its art forms create works that
are primarily visual in nature. READING AND VISUAL ATRS - This deals with
the study of art appreciation, interpretation and
➢ Visual arts are also called “spatial criticism. It surveys techniques, composition,
arts” as artworks produced under materials, terminology, and the culture and
this genre occupy space. social influences of art forms.

CLASSIFICATION AND SCOPE NOTE: Understanding visual art is context-

. .
dependent:
Various definitions and classification of arts
should not be taken too strictly as many artistic ● We are actively engaging with our
disciplines (ex. performing arts, conceptual art, environment rather than simple reproducing
textile arts) involve aspect of the visual arts as everything within our line of sight.
well as art that of other types.
● Every act of looking and seeing is also an act
DIVISION OF VISUAL ART ACCORDING of not seeing things that must remain invisible if
. TO SANCHEZ 2002) we are to pay attention to other things in view.

GRAPHIC ARTS - visual arts that have length ● The extent to which we see, focus on, and
and width (two-dimensional arts). They are pay attention to the world around us.
described as “flat arts” because they are seen
on flat surfaces.
MAIN FACTORS IN “READING: AND or oil pastel on canvas, wood, or copper
.
UNDERSTANDING “ VISUAL ARTS: surface.

CULTURAL LEGACY - general familiarity with, ➢ During Renaissance, painting

and an ability to use, the official and unofficial became a very important art. Italy
rules, values, genres, knowledge and courses became its center. It produced
that characterize cultural fields. masters like Michelangelo,
Raphael and Titian. Italian
CULTURAL TRAJECTORY - seeing something influence spread to the north of
from a cultural perspective. Europe, mostly Belgium and
Holland.
SELECTION AND OMISSION - selection of
➢ Most famous artist of the 27th
details and omission of others help to constitute
century during Dutch age were
and take the visual. By paying attention to and
Rembrandt and Vermeer.
focusing on something, the viewer effectively ➢ Impressionism began in France
constructs a frame around the scene. Any kind
during the end of the 19th century.
of selection and omission suggest sets of
➢ Picasso created cubism at the
relationships between and stories about
beginning of the 20th century.
different aspect, and establishes a hierarchy
with regard to the potentially visible. PRINTMAKING - It is made by covering a
plate with ink and pressing it on a surface
TEXT - the name of a collection of signs which
of another object. Prints are mostly
are organized in particular way to make
produced on paper. Originally, they were
meaning.
pressed onto cloth or other objects. Plates
SIGN - anything that is treated as a meaningful are made out of wood or metal.
part of units that is text.
➢ The first printmaking was made in
INTERTEXTUALITY - the use of other texts to Ancient Mesopotamia. The
create new texts. earliest printing was the stamping
of inscriptions into the soft clay of
GENRE - text types which is structure meaning bricks before firing.
in certain ways, through their association with a ➢ Printmaking also became popular
particular social purpose and social context. in Ancient Egypt and China
They are frames and references what we use to (woodblock printing).
negotiate, edit, elevate and in sense read the ➢ The innovation of printing spread
visual as a series of text. to Europe towards the end of the
Middle Age (ex. Gutenberg
TYPE OF VISUAL ART printing press).
.
DRAWING - This means creating a picture with
a variety of tools, in most cases pencils,
crayons, pens and markers. Artists draw on PHOTOGRAPHY - It is about making
different types of surfaces like paper or canvas. pictures by letting light through the lenses of a
Drawing is predominantly practiced with dry camera onto a film. Taking photos is to
media, pencil, charcoal, or chalk on a paper maintain memories and share emotions.
surface. ➢ Analogue photography light
➢ Earliest drawings were discovered in was recorded onto a film,
caves, dated back about more than which had to be chemically
75,000 to 100,000 years ago. developed and printed on
➢ Ancient Egyptians drew on papyrus. special paper.
➢ Greeks and Romans made drawing on ➢ Now, photography can be
their objects like vases. digital. Cameras today have
➢ During the Middle Ages, sketches were no film, as the images are
made from parchment. recorded onto silicon chips.
➢ During the Renaissance (Rebirth), ➢ Some of the notable
paper became famous. Drawing were innovators of photography are
art perfected by artists like Louis Daguerre
Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. (daguerreotype) and
Nicéphore Niépce
PAINTING - It is the “most important form of (heliography).
visual art.” It is about putting colours on canvas
or a wall. Painters express their ideas through a
mixture of colours and different brush strokes.
Painting implements wet media such as acrylic
 FILMIKING - It is about moving images
(“motion pictures”) that they turn into films. TYPES OF RHYTHM
A very expensive and complicated form of . ➢ Alternation (use of two
art, this involves many tasks like patterns alternately) -
scriptwriting, casting and editing film Radiation (repetition of the
sequences. motif from the center or
toward it).
COMPUTER ART - It is working with ➢ Progression (use of motifs of
computers to capture images and change varying sizes from the
them. It consists of wide variety of different smallest to the largest, or vice
forms, from capturing and changing sound versa).
to creating video games. ➢ Parallelism (use of a pattern
with an equal distance from
SCULPTURE - are three-dimensional each other).
pieces of art that are created by shaping
4. PROPORTION
various kinds of material. Popular materials
➢ It is the comparative
are stone, steel, plastic, ceramics and
relationship of the different
wood. Sculpting is also referred to as parts in relation to the whole.
“plastic art.” It is the proper and pleasing
relationship of one object with
. PRINCIPLES IN ART COMPOSITION the others in a design.
COMPOSITION - in art is a combination of ➢ According to ancient Greek
all the physical attributes which make up a sculptor Polyclitus (flourished
single artwork. In visual arts, composition is c. 450–415 BCE), a well-
often referred to as a way to arrange the proportioned human body is
artwork. Good artists understand how to eight head parts, that is, the
use physical properties of art to create a head is one-eighth of the
story through a piece of work. entire human body.

1. HARMONY/UNITY - in art is a 5. EMPHASIS

combination of all the physical ➢ It is about giving proper
attributes which make up a single importance on one or more
artwork. In visual arts, composition is parts of the thing or the whole
often referred to as a way to arrange thing itself.
the artwork. Good artists understand ➢ can be created by contrast or
how to use physical properties of art to by extreme change in an
create a story through a piece of work. element, or making certain
elements more dominant than
2. BALANCE - Known as “physical others.
equilibrium,” it is stability produced by
even distribution of weight on each ELEMENTS OF ARTS
side of the thing.
.
1. LINES - It is a series of connected dots
FORMAL (SYMMERICAL) or a prolongation of a point to show the
BALANCE - It exist if the weights at shape or form of any piece of art. Lines
equal distance from the center are are used as springboard of a product to
equal. Symmetry or same measure is be finished.
displayed. Radial symmetry exists 2. COLOR - It is the most noticeable
when the same measure occurs from element that appeals to the visual
the central point to the end of every sense. This is the quality of an object
radius. This kind of symmetry mostly with respect to light and reflected by it.
applies to round objects or those with
radii. . PROPROTIES OF COLOR:

HUE - (name of the color)

INFORMAL (ASYMMETRICAL OR
OCCULT BALANCE) - It is present ➢ MONOCHROMATIC - (only
when the left and right sides of the one hue)
thing, though not identical in ➢ POLYCHROMATIC - (two or
appearance, still display an even more hues)
distribution of weight.
VALUE- (lightness or darkness of a hue)
3. RHYTHM - It is the continuous use of
a motif or repetitive pattern of a ➢ INTENSITY - (brightness or
succession of similar or identical items. dullness of a hue)
 3. TEXTURE - It is the element SPACE - the distance between
associated with the sense of touch. It is shapes and objects.
the surface characteristics of an area.
The tactile effect that an artist wants to ➢ Positive space refers to the areas of
produce is dependent on the medium or the work with a subject.
material he uses, especially in sculpting ➢ Negative space is the space without
or carving. a subject. Artists use spacing to
create different effects.
4. SHAPE
FORM - This is a three-dimensional
object that can be held and
➢ It is the external appearance
walked around. A form can be
of clearly defined area. It
objects like cylinders, spheres,
contributes to the final form
or even hard-edged objects like
of the artwork.
cubes.
➢ Shapes are put together to
make up the whole object. VALUE - refers to the degree of
perceivable lightness of tones within an
Classifications:
image. The difference in values is called
- Static/regular (ex. circles, polygons) Contrast. It references the lightest and
- Natural (things of nature) darkest tones with grey variants in
- Non-objective (unrecognizable objects) between a work of art.

TEXTURE - usually used to describe the

5. SPACE
surface quality. Textures can be ‘real’ or
➢ t is an area or surface
‘implied’.Real surface quality is mainly seen
occupied by the artwork. The
through-dimensional works, like sculptures.
space is primarily seen
Implied surface quality describes how the
through “top-bottom” and
eye perceives the texture based on visual cue.
“left-right” dimensions.
➢ Even an object is hollow, it’s LINES - are marks moving in a space
inside is part of the space it between two points. Artists use many
occupies. different types of lines.
6. VOLUME
➢ Pertaining to solidity or VERTICAL LINES - are straight up and down
thickness, it is the amount of lines that are moving in space
space occupied by an object without any slant and are perpendicular to
in three dimensions. horizontal lines.
➢ is perceived by contour lines
(outlines) and by surface of HORIZONTAL LINES - are straight lines
light and shadows. parallel to the horizon that move from left to
7. PERSPECTIVE right.They suggest width, distance, calmness,
➢ It is synonymous with point of and stability.
view, angle of vision, or frame
of reference. It is the point DIAGONAL LINES - are straight lines that slant
where the artist stands to in any direction except horizontal or vertical.
view his subject. When in use, they suggest movement or lack of
➢ Perspective refers to the stability.
location and distance upon ZIGZAG LINES - are a series of diagonal lines
the appearance of an object joined at ends. They can convey
by which his eyes judge action and excitement, as well as restlessness
spatial relationships and anxiety.
(nearness and farness).
8. FORM - It refers to the overall CURVED LINES - re lines that bend and
composition of the artwork. It describes change direction gradually. They can be simply
the entire shape or organization of the wavy or spiral. Such lines convey the feelings of
thing or object created. comfort and ease, as well as sensual quality as
they remind us of the human body.

SHAPE - Is a two-dimensional design

enclosed by lines to signify its height and COLOUR - is the spectrum of light broken
width. Shapes are used to provide a reflected into down when hitting
symbolic and faux feeling. the a surface and eye.
 ➢ Has various properties like ‘hue’ which NEUTRAL COLORS - which serves to balance
has a basic range of colours like red colors.
and blue, ‘intensity’ which is the
strength of a colour, ‘value’ which is METHOD OF PRESENTING A SUBJECT
.
the lightness and darkness of the
➢ Certain Method of presenting arts are
colour, and ‘temperature’ which is the
employed in order for it to be effective.
warmness or coolness which the
➢ In presenting his subject, the artist
viewer feels when looking at the
uses different methods to express the
colour.
idea he wants to make clear.
PRIMARY COLORS - re colors of blue, red and
REALISM
yellow. They are described as primary colors
because they are the first to be produced and ➢ It is an attempt to portray the subject
the rest of the colors are produced as a result of as is. The artist selects, changes, and
combination. arranges details to express the idea he
wants to make clear.
SECONDARY COLORS - re green, orange and
➢ The artist function is to describe
violet. They are produced by combining two
accurately what is observed through
primary colors.
the senses.
INTERMEDIATE COLORS - are produced by
ABSTRACT - It means to move away or
combining one primary color and secondary
separate. The artwork is not realistic.
color.
TYPES OF ABSTRACT ART
ANALOGOUS - are those colors that are three .
or four neighboring colors.
DISTORTION -The subject is misshaped
ADJACENT COLORS – are those colors
condition.
situated next to each other in the color
ELONGATION-The subject is lengthened for
wheel.
protraction or extension
COMPLEMENTARY COLORS - are pairs of MANGLING - Subjects are either cut,
colors located opposite each other on the color lacerated, mutilated or hacked.
wheel. When placed next to each other, they CUBISM - Subjects are shown in basic
create the strongest contrast for those two geometrical shapes.
colors.
SYMBOLISM - The presentation of an
SPLIT COMPLEMENTARY COLORS - are invisible sign such as an idea or quality into
color schemes that consist of a base color and something visible.
two colors adjacent to its complement.
FAUVISM - Themes are philosophical, Subject
➢ BASE COLOR: Blue Complement: express either ethical, psychological. comfort,
Orange joy or happiness.

➢ SPLIT COMPLEMENTARY COLORS: APANESE PROPAGANDA DURING WW II

.
Yellow-orange and orange. DADAISM - A protest movement formed in
1916
TRIADIC COLORS - is any color palette made
by a group of artist in Zurich, Switzerland. They
of three colors that are equally apart on the
try to provoke the public with outrageous forms
color wheel. Triadic colors create a vibrant color
palette by separating each color, regardless of of arts.
the specific hues ➢ It came from the French word DADA
meaning hobby horse.
COOL COLORS - are those colors that are
inconspicuous and not strong to the eyes. FUTURISM - It works aims to capture the
speed and force of modern industrial society
WARM COLORS - are those colors that are
and
conspicuous and strong to the eyes.
to glorify the mechanical energy of
LIGHT COLORS – are those colors with values modern life.
lower and its normal value.
SURREALISM - Founded in Paris in 1924 by
DARK COLORS – are those colors with values French poet Andre Breton.
highest and its normal value.
➢ It tries to reveal a new and higher
RAINBOW COLORS - are colors that are reality than that of a daily life. They
prismatic or rainbow. (ROYGBIV
 claim to create a magical world more POP ART - This was a response to
beautiful than the real one through art. consumerism, the production of work, and the
➢ It came from the slang of super rise of capitalism in the mid-20th century. Andy
realism. Warhol is particularly well-known in this
movement.
FUNDAMENTALS OF INTERPRETATION OF
. VISUAL ARTS BLACK LIVES MATTER - The BLM movement
saw a huge increase in artists of color; and the
FORMAL –Visual characteristics and African art market is continuing to grow, with
qualities (what you can see). more grants and investments on offer.
CONTEXTUAL ANALYISIS - “outside the Art can be influential, so taking the time to think
visual” about how looking at a particular piece makes
(what you “cannot see”). you feel, could help you to understand what it
means.
A GUIDE TO INTERPRETING ART
.
Whether you love it, hate it, or find it disgusting,
➢ Understand the artist
good art makes you feel something. By feeling
➢ Consider the concept
these emotions, you’ll think more deeply about
➢ Ask questions about the artwork
the piece of art, which will probably make you
➢ Consider the steps the artist took
want to find out even more about it.
➢ Think about how it makes you feel
➢ Understanding that all interpretations OTHER WAYS TO INTERPRET
are valid .
➢ Speak to others ➢ Here’s a simple three-step method,
adapted from an old technique by
UNDERSTAND THE ARTIST - When it comes German-Jewish art historian - Erwin
to understanding the artist, you should delve Panofsky (1892-1968):
into their background and other pieces of work 1) “Look”
they’ve created, by considering these 2) “See”
four aspects 3) “Think”
SCHOOLS - Many schools are famous for
➢ The first two – look and see – are just
specific movements. For example, Goldsmith
about using your eyes, and
is known for its alumni of young British artists
observational skills. The third requires
and was the place of study for Damian Hirst;
a bit of thought, drawing on what we
and the Royal Academy is often referred to as
already know and creatively
one of the elite schools, with very strong formal
interpreting what we’ve observed
training.
within an artwork’s broader contexts.
RESIDENCES – Once emerging artists have HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF PAINTING
finished school, they often head off to a . IN THE PHILIPPINES
residency. Find out the name of the residency if
you can, including which artists went there ➢ The Philippines is a country rich in
before them. history and culture, and its art is no
exception. From ancient artifacts to
EXHIBITIONS - More often than not, group contemporary masterpieces, Philippine
exhibitions are centered around a specific
art reflects the country’s diverse
topic or theme, which in turn can provide a hint
influences and unique heritage.
to what movements the artist is interested in, ➢ One of the most notable aspects of
associated with, or inspired by. Philippine art is its blend of indigenous,
MUSEUMS - If an artist’s work is more colonial, and modern influences. The
established, they’re likely to have their work traditional art forms of the Philippines
featured in a local – or even national – have been shaped by centuries of
museum. Take a look at the exhibition their work interaction with neighboring cultures,
was featured in, to understand where their such as China, India, and Spain. This
practice is situated in the art historical context. blending of influences can
be seen in the vibrant colors, intricate
patterns, and diverse subject matter of
Philippine art.
SAMPLE CULTURAL MOVMENTS ➢ One of the earliest known forms of
. Philippine art is the intricate pottery
FUTURISM - an Italian art movement that and artifacts that have been found
responded to the spirit of revolution in archaeological sites throughout the
and the progression of technology. country. These artifacts reflect the skill
 and craftsmanship of the early HISTORICAL PAINTINGS IN THE
inhabitants of the Philippines, who . PHILIPPINES
created beautiful works of art using
simple tools and materials. JUAN LUNA (SPOLIARIUM 1884) – The name
➢ During the colonial period, Philippine of the painting ‘Spoliarium’ is a Latin word which
art was heavily influenced by Spanish refers to the area in the Roman Colosseum
and Catholic traditions. Religious which was used to dump the bodies of fallen
subjects became a popular theme in gladiators.
Philippine art, with artists creating
FERNADO ARMORSOLO (RICE PLANTING
elaborate sculptures, paintings, and
1951) - The painting, Planting Rice, depicts
altarpieces to decorate churches and
farmers working in a field, with a cluster of huts
religious buildings.
in the background to give the painting an
➢ During pre-colonial time, there was
already indigenous spiritual tradition authentic as well as native feel.
practiced by the people in the VICTORIO EDADES (THE BUILDERS 1928) -
Philippines. Their practice were beliefs It is believed to be the sum total of all his other
and cultural mores that the world is paintings that were included in this exhibition.
inhabited by spirits and supernatural Edades’ use of muddy earth colors, yellows and
entities. blacks were what set him and his work apart
➢ Painting in the Philippines is a from his contemporaries.
reflection of the rich culture and
diversity in the nation. The history FERNANDO AMOROSOLO (FRUIT GATHER
of Filipino paintings can be traced 1950) - In this painting, he paints a young girl
back to the pre-historic times, when sitting with a basket of fruits in a rural Philippine
paintings were made on the walls of landscape.
the caves.
➢ From the 16th century till the 19th VARIOUS TYPES OF PAINTING MEDIUMS
century, paintings were thus primarily .
made only to serve the purpose of the OIL PAINTING - is one of the oldest and most
Church. Change was seen in the early popular types of painting medium. Paint
19th century, when Filipino painters manufacturers make oil paint by mixing pigment
began getting educated and realized with a drying oil.
the importance of art in the society. WATER COLOR - is another popular type of
➢ Painters started exploring new and
painting medium. Gum arabic and pigment
different methods of painting
make up the paint mixture.
and watercolors became the preferred
mode of painting. The best-known ACRYLIC PAINT - The paint is made from
paintings of this time include Felix pigment suspended in acrylic resin, a synthetic
Resurrección Hidalgo’s Las Virgenes polymer. The paint dries quickly.
Cristianas Expuestas al Populacho
and Juan Luna’s Spolarium. GOUACHE PAINT - is similar to watercolour in
➢ The Second World War also had a that it is a water-based medium.
profound effect on the art of the
country. Painters focused on making PASTELS - are both a drawing and a painting
art which highlighted the dark medium. Pastels are made from dry, powdered
and grim nature of war and how war pigment that is held together with a binder.
affected the people of the Philippines.
TEMPERA PAINT - The pigments are
➢ Today, Philippine art continues to
suspended in an egg emulsion, which gives the
thrive, with a new generation of artists
paint its fast-drying quality.
creating innovative and thought-
provoking works. Contemporary ENCAUSTIC PAINT - from beeswax and colour
Filipino artists such as Elmer pigments. The wax is melted and combined with
Borlongan, Ronald Ventura, and the pigment, then cooled and re-melted to
Marina Cruz are gaining recognition create a solid block of paint.
both locally and internationally for their
unique perspectives and artistic vision. INK PAINTINGS - This is a popular type of
painting medium in Japan, where ink wash
painting is also called sumi-e. Sumi-e is a type
of whimsical style ink painting that uses mostly
black ink.

FRESCO - is a painting technique in which

artists apply pigment to wet plaster.
DIGITAL PAINTING - is a great option if you
already have software like Adobe Photoshop,
Corel Painter and Procreate, or if you have
limited space for traditional painting mediums.

TYPES OF PAINTING APPLICATIONS

. METHODS

PAINT POURING (FLUID PAINTING) - Add a

pouring medium to the paint to make the
colours less viscous and easier to pour.

AIR BRUSH METHOD - is perfect for painting

smooth gradients and soft edges. Use an
airbrush to create very fine details.

PALLETE KNIFE - Traditionally, oil paints also

apply oil paint with a palette knife.This will give
your painting an interesting textured effect.

CANVAS PAINTING - It simply means painting

on a canvas surface instead of paper or another
type of surface. is a popular choice because it’s
durable and easy to frame.