A Traditional Art Form from India: Warli Paintings There are many different types of traditional art forms in India, but one that has remained in existence from time immemorial is the Warli painting art form. Warli paintings are characterized by their use of bold colors and simple shapes to create images of men, animals, trees, and plants on the walls of villages or used as decorations during festivals such as the Ganesh Festival or Navratri. Today, Warli paintings continue to be popular as wall décor pieces in homes across India, especially in Mumbai and Gujarat. Here’s more about this traditional art form from India. Who is the Warli tribe? The Warlis are a tribe that resides in the North Sahyadri Range in Maharashtra, India. They are known for their warli painting designs, which are done using a mixture of earth and watercolors. The paintings depict scenes from daily life, such as hunting, fishing, and farming. Warli paintings are also used to tell stories and legends. What are the Warli paintings? The practice of Warli art is predicated on the idea of natural beauty, and many aspects of the natural world are often brought into sharp relief. Because agriculture is the primary means of subsistence for the community, members have a lot of admiration for the natural world and the fauna that inhabits it for the commodities that it provides. In a manner somewhat dissimilar to how ancient artworks were executed, it is common practice for warli painters to paint on the backgrounds of their clay houses while working on warli artwork. In Warli art, religious imagery, such as representations of gods and other symbols associated with religion, is never used. It speaks about how humans are reliant on the environment and how they are associated with it. It portrays the earth as a deity. The artworks of the Warli tribe convey a feeling of homogeneity in individuals and underline the tight social interactions that exist among the full members of society. Real-life settings and occurrences served as inspiration for many aspects of the artworks, including the forests, wildlife, festivals, social engagements, and social forms. It is also possible for a Warli artwork to serve as a graphic narrative of one of these classic tales. Many contemporary artists incorporate aspects of the modern environment into their work, such as automobiles, architecture, cycles, electronics, airplanes, and trains. Where can I purchase Warli paintings? You can buy Warli paintings in a number of places, both in India and online. One of the best ways to find a reputable seller is to ask around for recommendations. Once you've found a few potential sellers, take some time to compare prices and shipping costs before making your purchase. You can also find Warli paintings on display in a number of art galleries and museums, which can be a great way to view this traditional art form up close. You can also buy warli paintings online and get them delivered anywhere you want. Conclusion Warli paintings, which are often seen on the walls of villages or as decorations for celebrations like the Ganesh Festival or Navratri, are still widely collected and displayed in houses throughout India, particularly in the metropolitan areas of Mumbai and Gujarat. Don’t miss out on these fantastic Warli Art Forms to collect as RtistiQ brings to you the Phygital NFT Folk Art auction that will be held between the 15-18th September 2022.

RtistiQ

17 Aug 2022

5 min to read

SAVE

SHARE

The Art of Gond: A Journey into the Color and Creativity of India. With its natural bounty of flora and fauna, India’s reputation as a nature lover’s paradise precedes it. However, far less known than the diversity of birds and animals found in the country is India’s rich cultural history, which adds an element of diverse beauty to its landscape through artistic mediums such as paintings, pottery, and sculptures, among others. One such medium is Gond art, or the art of the Gond tribe that lives in Central India around Jabalpur and Mandla. This is the history and relevance of this art form. What is Gond art? The art of Gond has its origin in the eastern Indian state of Chhattisgarh. Gond art, which literally means graphic art or signboard art, involves the creation of paintings on raw pieces of wood from local trees. The name Gond comes from the tribe who are known to inhabit this region since long ago and who have perfected this unique form of painting over centuries and made it their own trademark style. Gond Art History The Gond tribe has been creating this form of art for at least 1500 years because there are underground drawings throughout the area that stretch back to the Neolithic period era, so it would be possible that they're simply continuing a tradition that began much earlier. Indigenous Indians, notably those of the Gond tribe, do have a long history of enjoying paintings and other kinds of artistic expression. But among the Gonds, the Pardhan Gonds have been the best known for their creative prowess. The Gondoliers believed that seeing a lucky picture would bring them good fortune. This idea prompted the Gond to adorn their homes with markings and patterns from their culture all over the walls and the floor to form beautiful Gond painting designs and a tradition was formed. The Gondoliers also utilized art as a means of documenting their past. Gond Art Characteristics Shapes Style choices ensure that the edges used to construct the subjects—whether at the edges or deep within—immediately draw the eye. The lines and dots provide an incomparable shine which is distinctive to Gond art. The descriptive quality of such art is enhanced by the use of numerous geometrical forms and repetitions, such as those imitating fish scales, droplets of water, and flower shapes. Colors Vivid colors, notably red, turquoise, yellow, as well as white, abound throughout the large Gond painting and also provide wonderful contrast for the viewer. Colorful paints like these are often made by extracting the pigment from natural materials such dirt, carbon, leaves of plants and fluid, or even cow manure. Chui Mitti, a kind of gravel found locally, is used to make yellow, whereas Gheru Mitti is used to make brown. As for the other colors, black comes from charcoal, red from Hibiscus flowers, and green from leaf tissue. Conclusion Though Gond art has been around for centuries, it has seen resurgence in popularity in recent years. This is likely due to the vibrant colors and intricate patterns that are characteristic of the style. Additionally, traditional Gond art often tells a story or conveys a message, making it all the more meaningful. Don’t miss out on these fantastic Gond Art Forms to collect as RtistiQ brings to you the Phygital NFT Folk Art auction that will be held between the 15-18th September 2022.

RtistiQ

17 Aug 2022

5 min to read

SAVE

SHARE

Pattachitra Paintings: A Journey Through Indian Art Every culture has its own art form, and India is no exception. Paintings are an integral part of Indian history and culture, especially since they date back to the Indus Valley Civilization, where they were used as trade and social currency. Pattachitra paintings, also known as Kamal Pustakam, are part of the traditional folk art of Odisha, India. They tell stories from Hindu mythology using paints made from natural materials like tree bark, leaves, flowers, clay, vegetable dyes, and even cow dung. Learn more about this special art form with our complete guide to Pattachitra Paintings below. What are Pattachitra paintings? Pattachitra paintings are a type of Indian folk art that originated in the state of Odisha. The word patta means cloth in Sanskrit, and chitra means picture. Pattachitra paintings are usually done on cloth or canvas using natural dyes and pigments. The themes of these paintings typically depict Hindu gods and goddesses, religious scenes, and stories from Indian mythology. The Pattachitra painters, also recognized as chitrakars, have mostly been recognized for their depictions of Hindu mythology. Artists use a chalk-and-gum combination to cover the fabric prior to painting. Two separate stones are used to massage the substance into the fabric. Eventually, the fabric has hardened, and the painter begins the painting. Practicing pattachitra requires adherence to a set of norms and regulations. In Pattachitra's artworks, a flowery boundary is a requirement, as is the use of neutral colors in a single tone. As a result, Pattachitra's aesthetic is unique and could not be imitated, making each artist's work unique. Thus, if you like a particular style, you have to find an artist who has mastered that style to try and replicate it. And RtistiQ brings to you that specific artist called KeshabPradhan and you can find his intricate works here at the Folk Art Auction which will take place between 15 – 18 September 2022. Dont miss out on this 1 time opportunity. Styles The most common style of pattachitra painting is the Orissa style, which originated in the state of Orissa in eastern India. The Orissa style is characterized by its use of natural dyes and pigments, as well as by its intricate patterns and designs. Another popular style of pattachitra painting is the Bengal style, which originated in the state of Bengal in northeastern India. How to Recognize a Good Pattachitra Painting If you are looking to buy pattachitra paintings online, look for an artist who has been trained in the traditional style to make sure you get the best pattachitra paintings. The colors should be bright and vibrant, and the lines should be clean and sharp. The painting should tell a story, and the artist should be able to explain the symbolism behind the work. Make sure to buy from a reputable source so you can be sure you're getting a genuine Pattachitra painting online. Conclusion Pattachitra paintings have a long and rich history, dating back to the 7th century CE. These paintings were originally created as temple hangings, but they eventually became popular among the general population as well. Today, Pattachitra paintings are still made in Odisha and are considered to be a valuable part of Indian culture, and they have been incorporated into the modern aesthetics of India.

RtistiQ

17 Aug 2022

5 min to read

SAVE

SHARE

What is Lithography? A lithograph is an image produced via a special stone inking process called lithography. Lithography is the process of printmaking in which an image or a design is drawn onto a flat stone (or a prepared metal plate, usually made of zinc or aluminium) and affixed by means of a chemical reaction. The word lithography is derived from a combination of two Greek words: ‘lithos’ meaning stones and ‘graphien’ meaning to write or to scratch. In this planographic printing process the surface containing the image is rubbed with a greasy substance that allows the ink to adhere to it, while the non-image surface is made ink-repellent. Invention of Lithography German author and playwright Aloys Senefelder invented lithography in the late eighteenth century (1798) by accident. Senefelder, who was looking for a practical way to publish his plays, used a Bavarian limestone as the printing surface, and called this process ‘Chemical Printing’. This invention made colour printing easier now that different colours could be applied to separate stones and overprinted onto the same sheet. Lithography also made it possible to print a much wider range of marks and areas of tone than was possible with earlier printmaking relief or intaglio methods. Till the nineteenth century this much sought after graphic art form, which was an expensive method back then, was not used for commercial purposes. Originally associated with printing maps and music, lithography was later used by iconic artists like Odilon Redon, Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol in their works. Smiling Spider by Odilon Redon, 1891 Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons The Process This printing process is based on the simple principle of immiscibility of oil and water. The intended image or design for the lithograph is created directly on a polished slab of limestone using an oil-based lithographic crayon or ink such as tusche, crayon, pencils, lacquer, or synthetic materials. The stone is ready to be etched or processed once the image has been made. During this part of the process the printing surface or the surface where the intended print is to be transferred, is kept wet so that the grease-based ink when transferred will only stick to the oil-receptive surface. The drawn surface is then inked and then the ink is transferred to a sheet of paper by putting the paper and the printing surface through a special press. Even if the process of lithography is used to copy an existing work of art, each lithographic edition is different from the other. A lithograph can be identified by its distinctive dot pattern because there are always differences in how the ink creates a randomly scattered image in different papers. In India, in the year 1894, Raja Ravi Varma started The Ravi Varma Fine Art Lithographic Press at Girgaum, which was later moved to Ghatkopar in Bombay, and finally shifted it to Malavli, near Lonavala in 1899. Ravi Varma pioneered this painstaking process of image reproduction and produced oleographs of his popular works and thus democratising the art of collecting. Often mistaken for oil paintings, Oleographs, also called chromolithographs, are lithographic prints textured and designed to resemble an oil painting. These coloured lithographs are produced by preparing a separate stone for each colour and they are printed by placing one colour over the other. Sometimes, a single print could need as many as 30 stones! Later, the print is placed onto the canvas and then varnish is added to mimic the look of an oil painting. Some of the most evocative Raja Ravi Varma oleographs like Shakuntala Janma, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Mohini, Vasantika, Ahalya, Arjun Subhadra, Sharda, Madri and many others were a result of this technique. This printing press was the largest picture printing establishment in India, and the most innovative. Along with hand-colouring, the process involved using as many woodblocks or litho-stones to match the colours and tones to transfer the image. It would take several months to produce an oleograph depending on the number of colours present in the original work. The oleographs printed here were very popular and continued to be printed in thousands for many years, even after the death of Raja Ravi Varma in 1906. In today’s day and age, these rare lithographs are prized collectables. Raja Ravi Varma, Birth of Sakuntala (Shakuntala Janma) Image courtesy: Google Arts & Culture; Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation Raja Ravi Varma, Lakshmi Image courtesy: Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation Raja Ravi Varma, Saraswati Image courtesy: Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation Raja Ravi Varma, Mohini Image courtesy: Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation (Facebook Page) Historical Significance Lithography revolutionized the world of printmaking when it was invented by Alois Senefelder in 1796. Before lithography, the dominant printmaking techniques were labor-intensive and time-consuming. Lithography offered a more accessible and efficient method, enabling artists to reproduce their work on a larger scale and reach a wider audience. This led to a democratization of art, making it more affordable and allowing for the dissemination of ideas and aesthetics. The indian master artist Raja Ravi Varma, gained greater popularity using Lithography as a medium to reach a wider audience and garnered a mass appeal for his paintings covering Indian Mythology, Gods and Godesses. Other major artists who have embraced Lithography include, Toulouse-Lautrec, Edvard Munch, Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, Salvador Dali, David Hockney, Jim Dine, Wayne Thiebaud, Yoshida Hiroshi, S Nandagopal, Kim Tschang Yeul, Tyeb Mehta, Wu Guanzhong, who have all used to technique and contributed to the advancement of Lithography across the globe. Their lithographic works have not only gained recognition within their respective regions but have also made an impact on the global art scene, enriching the diversity and depth of lithography as an art form. Artistic Potential and Characteristics Lithography as a medium offers artists immense creative potential. Its versatility allows for the reproduction of various artistic styles and techniques, ranging from detailed line work to rich tonal values. Lithographs can capture intricate details and textures, resembling original drawings or paintings. The ability to work directly on the plate also allows artists to experiment, revise, and explore different effects, making each lithograph a unique piece of art. Collecting Lithographs Collecting lithographs can be a rewarding experience for art enthusiasts. When considering lithographs for your collection, it is important to pay attention to factors such as the quality of the print, the edition size, and the condition of the artwork. Limited editions with smaller print runs tend to be more valuable. Additionally, the reputation and significance of the artist, as well as the historical context of the lithograph, can greatly influence its collectability and market value. Remember that building a collection of lithographs should be a personal journey guided by your passion for art and the desire to appreciate the unique works of celebrated artists. Take your time, explore various sources, and seek expert advice when necessary to make informed decisions and build a collection that brings you joy and fulfillment. Conclusion Lithography stands as a remarkable art form, offering artists a versatile medium for creative expression and making art accessible to a broader audience. With its rich history, unique technique, and artistic potential, lithographs continue to inspire and captivate art enthusiasts worldwide. By understanding the intricacies and significance of lithography, we can appreciate and engage with this art form on a deeper level.

RtistiQ

24 Jun 2022

5 min to read

SAVE

SHARE

Fine Arts as a discipline has a very rich, vibrant and global antiquity. The discipline has evolved rapidly with time. Art was and is still used as an expression to communicate with the audience. Like people say, ‘A picture is worth a 1000 words’. Over the huge time span of development of fine arts in human history a number of factors have affected the way art, painting in particular has evolved with time. Some of the major factors that help an artiste or an art critique understand the art work is the contemporary social, economic, religious, environmental and political conditions under which the artiste worked. It is these conditions that also determined the techniques and the mediums which were used to produce these artworks. All over the world we have the earliest paintings in the form of Rock-Art which date back to the Pre-Historic times. These paintings were very rudimentary line drawings, though very expressive and informative in a number of ways. This art basically depicted the general everyday practices of the people like dancing, hunting and even rituals and beliefs. Since back then there were less technological means to express themselves these Pre-Historic Hominins drew on the walls of natural rock shelters and they used locally available materials, like in case of India, the most well-known Rock Art site is Bhimbetka. Here, the Hominins used animal blood, ox-hide, ochre from locally available banded-hematite quartzite stones and vegetable dies to color. If one wants to understand the growth and evolution of different painting styles and mediums one needs to understand the growth of society and culture in tandem. Fine Arts could only grow if the society was sedentary, stable and there was regular accumulation of surplus to give attention to other specialized activities. As the division and specialization of labor started getting more granulated more inventions and innovations came forth in Fine Arts as the artistes were given more time and freedom to do so. In the current Art circles types of paintings are compartmentalized according to the first producers of those paintings, or the first city/state/kingdom the painting was made or the in general the cultural or religious thoughts that were the reason for the development of art. But however one must understand that it is not correct to believe that painting styles and techniques originated at one specific region and then were disseminated across the world. The scholarship calls this phenomena ‘Unilineal Cultural Evolution’ which is now highly criticized and the belief is of ‘Multilinear Cultural Evolution’ which propounds that ideas could have originated simultaneously in different silos. For example, what we today all know as the Mughal Miniature Painting Style, it is not a very indigenous style, it has characteristics of Persian Painting Style, local Indian variations like Bundi or Deccani Styles and a lot of European Renaissance Style as well. Hence, painting styles, techniques and mediums have constantly been adapted from other regional styles, techniques and mediums. Keeping the above developments in mind, today, the artistes have managed to enhance their painting styles on different mediums to express their messages to the outside world. Painters today have managed to find the balance between the originalities of various styles and mediums and their personal innovations. Tempera This technique uses Beeswax and egg yolk as binding agents. This method is known to be more enduring as the color finish in Tempera stays longer while in oil or water color paintings the colors fade easily. This style was predominantly used to color Icons on buildings and on books for illustrations. Tempera Art- Last Supper by Da Vinci Oil Painting In this type of painting technique, the binding agents are linseed, poppy or walnut oil. This method provides a glossy finish which the earlier techniques couldn’t. Painters use different oil paints on the same piece to give it a very distinct multi-dimensional and multi textured look. Oil Painting- Guernica- Pablo Picasso Water Colors As the name suggests these are water soluble colors. They are popular because they dry fast and a painter can work out the finer details with them. These were and are used on stone, canvas, paper and even fabric. However, a catch in this style of painting is that the artiste needs to master various properties and qualities of water as it spreads very easily and reacts differently to different surfaces. Water Color- Mother Teresa and Children- M. F. Hussain Acrylic Painting This style is a very progressive innovation in the field of painting as it draws from both oil and water based pigments. It is widely preferred today as it dries quickly and is water resistant, hence multiple layers of finishing can be done on this. Acrylic style paintings have evolved tremendously with time as now even a lot of Mixed Media works use acrylics with pen-ink, charcoals, chalk and pastels. It can be used on numerous mediums like stone, ceramics, canvas, paper etc. Acrylic- Starry Night- Van Gogh Pen and Ink This is a truly traditional yet prevalent technique known for its versatility on different mediums. Earliest examples can be found in the form of scrolls from ancient civilizations like at Egypt and China. But predominantly this technique is used today and even in the past for the detailing in the calligraphy or illustrations that it would give. An artiste can focus on the tiniest of details through this technique on mediums like paper, cloth, palm leaves or ceramics. This style is widely used by artistes who work in the illustration business like Graphic Novel or Comic Publishing Houses or Newspapers and Magazines. Pen and Ink- Mystical European Landscapes- Olivia Kemp Pastels This method basically includes making a thick paste out well bound dry pigment and chalk. They are known for their intense color and varied textures. Pastels- Dandelions- Jean Francois Millet Mixed Media Like already mentioned above, this type of technique is a product of permutations and combinations of the modern day artistes. In this one can use paints, ink, chalk, pastels on different mediums like metal, canvas, ceramics and many more. This style has a very individualistic feel, as it gives an artiste the opportunity to experiment in a number of ways. Mixed Media- Radha Krishna- Revankar Art Digital Drawings/Paintings Among the current tech savvy millennial population, the young artistes have started producing phenomenal art using devices and different software. The most common software used are Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe InDesign. Through these digital media one can create very detailed and neat illustrations. Secondly, to make sure that a very personal touch is maintained for the artistes there are digital pads like Wacom, on which an artiste can draw using a digital pen and the image appears on the computer screen. At present, this is the most preferred style of drawing and painting used by commercial houses like book publishers or logo designers etc. Digital Drawing- Game of Thrones- Tommy Patterson To sum up, Painting Styles and Traditions have long antecedents in our history and they have been evolving with time. One needs to understand the world these techniques emerged in, to fully fathom the symbolic meanings behind them. Discover more painting styles on RtistiQ. A Virtual Art Marketplace For Art Lovers And Artists.

RtistiQ

10 Dec 2021

5 min to read

SAVE

SHARE

The word “landscape” comes from the Dutch word "Landschap", which means the patch of the ground describing any painting drawing or any other technique used or whose main subject is to draw the scenery containing mountains, forests, rivers, or seascape. Landscape painting in layman language is the depiction of Natural Scenery. Timeline of the landscape painting The tradition of landscape painting can be traced back to traditional Chinese painting during the 6th century, identified as Shan Shui, and is still popular to this day. In the Western tradition landscape painting as a genre developed from the Renaissance movement. Giovanni Bellini’s expressive landscapes are as much the main character of s paintings as are the religious subjects that influenced 15th-century Italian art. Created for sophisticated patrons, Bellini’s works present characters and symbols from familiar sacred stories. With the work of Giorgione, who was one of Bellini's students, the Venetian High Renaissance truly began. Although he died very young, Giorgione's influence was extensive and impactful. He introduced new subjects such as mythological scenes and pastorals with elusive meaning. To a revolutionary stretch, the mood is the primary "subject" of his works. He used light and shadow and a soft atmosphere to merge landscape and figures. For Giorgione, more than any artist before him, the landscape became an end in itself. The Feast of the Gods by Giovanni Bellini 1514 - 1516, High Renaissance, oil, canvas National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, US The upliftment of landscape painting began following the Renaissance era, in the 16th century, with artists drawing landscapes that included pictures purely as a setting for human activity. The genre reached new heights at this point due to the Dutch and Flemish schools' artistic innovation with artists like Pieter Bruegel, Joachim Patenir, Albrecht Durer. Artists like Pieter Bruegel, who was one of the most famous painters of the Flemish school, was known for his detailed landscapes depicting peasant life. His artworks have inspired many, including the renowned painter Peter Rubens and many Flemish painters in the following century. One of his famous works, Landscape with the Fall of Icarus (1558) depicts a religious or mythological story. Bruegel depicts the boisterous activities of a country fair and a folk play, respectively, paying particularly close attention to the worn costumes and broad, emphatic gestures of the celebrants . He had attentive attentive observation of the village sittings, far from re-creating everyday life. The powerful compositions, brilliantly organized and controlled, reflect a sophisticated artistic design. His use of landscape defies simple interpretation. The painting Landscape with the Fall of Icarus is a true masterpiece, urrounded by mystery, and numerous questions which remain unresolved, particularly regarding its attribution. The painting, therefore, continues to exert a lasting fascination. Landscape with the Fall of Icarus (1558) The term “classical” appeared in the seventeenth century. Classicism is the term used to define the arts and culture of the ancient civilizations of Greece and the Roman Empire. A source of inspiration that has been popular since the Renaissance era until the 19th and 20th centuries. Nicolas Poussin is one of the most well-known classically-inspired artists. He is considered an important representative of the French Baroque. In his famous painting, Landscape with a Calm, he tried to capture in his composition every single detail to impact the viewers. Poussin’s landscape is usually created with a graceful background for a group of figures but later landscapes played an important role in developing a unique style, as it focuses on figures, creating stories that were taken from the bible, mythology, and literature. Nicolas Poussin, Landscape with a Calm, 1650–1651, Getty Center (Wikipedia) Claude Lorrain is a french artist who is known for one of the greatest ideal landscape paintings. His inspiration is the countryside around Rome. Working outdoors from detailed observation, and blending classical Idealism with naturalistic detail he produced work that could rival the beauty of nature itself. The Mill, Claude Lorrain, Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), Boston, MA, US, Public domain Throughout Europe, Poussin and Claude Lorrain established landscape as an honourable genre but it never matched its importance. Due to slow recognition, it was not considered a match for other genres, such as history painting or portraiture. In 18th century Europe, the Rococo style became widespread in painting, sculpture, decorative arts, and interior design. It was influenced by the Venetian School's use of color, Arcadian landscapes, erotic subjects, and intense use of dramatic scenes which enhanced more playfulness in their works. Jean-Antoine Watteau was the innovative artist who extended the Rococo period beyond decorative arts onto the canvas. Watteau's unique and creative compositions’ style was based on the combination of asymmetrical design and brightly colored landscapes which were painted idyllic and with happy scenes. Most of his art focuses on the cheerfulness of people dancing around and enjoying themselves in a beautiful setting. All this imagery gave birth to a new genre called fêtes galantes, which were scenes of courtship parties. The Embarkation for Cythera, 1717, Louvre. Romanticism was the defining style in art and literature of the late 18th and 19th centuries. A movement that draws attention to imagination and emotions. Romanticism is a rejection of the rule of balance, idealization, calm, harmony, and rationality that characterized Classicism in general and particularly Neoclassicism in the late 18th-century. One of the main artists of the Romantic movement was the painter Caspar David Friedrich who changed the face of landscape paintings with his intense and emotional focus on nature and became a key member of the Romantic Movement. Two Men Contemplating the Moon c.1819 by Caspar David Friedrich Friedrich elaborated his style and developed his techniques while painting Two Men Contemplating the Moon. The symbolism is one of the strongest points of his painting, which Friedrich implemented with interesting lighting effects and color use. In the 19th century, a rebel art movement brought a major change in Western art. The Impressionist movement marked the beginning of the modern era in art. The best way for the artists to get recognition was to exhibit their work at the annual Salon des Beaux-Arts or "Salon de Paris", which was organized by the Fine Arts Academy. Being showcased during this event could make or break a career. The artists were eager to get the public’s appreciation and to gain favorable reviews. Being at first rejected by the establishment, a small group of Impressionist artists held an exhibition with their latest works. Approaching painting in a similar way, the group came together with open compositions depicting the study of light with its changing qualities. Their innovation was the departure from studio practice, replaced by painting outdoors. The freshness and the immediacy in Claude Monet, Alfred Sisley, and Paul Cezanne’s work astounded the public. The art critic Louis Leroy coined the name Impressionism referring to Monet's painting Impression: Sunrise. He gave rise to the sarcastic comment: "an exhibition of impressionists". Claude Moner, Impression, Sunrise, Musée Marmottan Monet, Paris (Wikipedia) In today's time, Impressionist paintings are remarkably the most popular and loved by the public from a modern art museum collection. The modern lifestyle and the way people spent time in Parisian cafés, bars, and theatres were the popular subjects for Monet, Renoir, and Degas in late 19th-century Paris. Soon after the group’s exhibition, the public accepted the term "Impressionism". The Impressionists were interested in representing the form as the naked eye sees it and in capturing the natural effect of light. Some younger artists who were in favor of Impressionists started imitating them. They exhibited together around eight times between 1874 and 1886. Paul Cézanne, The Bathers, 1906 | © Museum of Art, Philadelphia/WikiCommons Later, in the 1880s, Post-Impressionist artists became concerned with the three-dimensional nature of space, objects, and their representation on canvas. Qualities of line, pattern, color, and symbolic subject matter were the main concepts for this artistic movement. The impressionists were the true masters of painting. The task was to paint from “Nature”, to make use of the discoveries of the impressionist’s masters, and yet to capture the sense of order and necessity that distinguished the art of Poussin. The impressionists had given up mixing the pigment on the palate and had applied them separately onto the canvas in small dabs and dashes to render the flickering reflections of an “open dash air” scene. The techniques of the Impressionists focused more on style rather than the subject matter. They aimed to hold on to the contemporary art world, artists with distinct styles in art practices—including Paul Cézanne, Paul Gauguin, Vincent van Gogh, Georges Seurat, Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, and Henri Rousseau. Vincent van Gogh, Cypresses, 1889. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York(Wikipedia) Like the Impressionists, the Post-Impressionists showed their artwork to the public through exhibitions across Paris. In 1910 the art critic, curator, and historian Roger Fry coined the term "Post-Impressionism" with the show, Manet and the Post-Impressionists. Fry believed that the beauty of art is inherently rooted in perception: "Art is an expression and stimulus to the imaginative life rather than a copy of actual life". In An Essay in Aesthetics Fry explains: "Art appreciates emotion in and for itself. The artist is constantly observant of his surroundings and the least affected by their intrinsic aesthetic value. As he contemplates a particular field of vision, the aesthetically chaotic and accidental conjunction of forms and colors begin to crystallize into a harmony." These theories help us understand the commonality of these artists. The style of landscape painting flourished around the turn of the 20th century in France. Fauvism and Expressionism were introduced with harsh colors and flat surfaces (Fauvism) and emotionally disturbing forms. As the artist in fauvism painted a strong expressive reaction to the subjects spontaneously, expressing with bold brushstrokes and impressive colors. The colors did not have to be true to nature, necessarily. They could be changed to show emotions. Two influential artists of that time were Henri Matisse and Paul Signac. Expressionism came "from within," which is a reflection of the artist's feelings rather than a portrayal of a scene. The Scream, 1893 by Edvard Munch Lastly, Contemporary art refers to art that is produced in today’s time which can be named- painting, sculpture, photography, installation, performance, and video art. And when we talk about the landscape in modern and contemporary art wouldn’t be complete without mentioning David Hockney’s art. David Hockney has gained more popularity than any other British artist of this century. Hockney was one of the first artists to use acrylic paint extensively, which was at that time a relatively new artistic medium. He used acrylic paints to depict the hot, dry landscapes of California. He used to work in a vertical plan by stapling the canvas to his studio wall. He said in his autobiography, "I love the idea first of all of the painting like Leonardo, all his studies of water, swirling things. And I loved the idea of painting this thing that lasts for two seconds: it takes me two weeks to paint this event that lasts for two seconds." Hockney’s artistic career is mostly connected with the Pop art movement. Recently, he has been widely experimenting with various methodologies for reinventing the landscape genre, including watercolors, photo collages. David Hockney in his recent exhibit “ The Arrival of Spring, Normandy 2020” show at the Royal Academy of Arts 23. He travelled to france with the intension to capture the spring in the rural landscape of normandy. He wanted to observe the richness of the spring to capture the change in the plant and the light. He stared to work in the beginning of the coronavious pandemic when much of the world wenr into the state of lockdown where he focus on the emerging of the spring as a celebration of the joy of natural world. David Hockney painting 'Winter Timber' in Bridlington, July 2009 © David Hockney. Photo credit: Jean-Pierre Goncalves de Lima David Hockney, Felled Tress on Woldgate, 2008 © David Hockney In today’s time, we can see the development of the landscape genre. Landscape as an art genre is forever since it offers so many options for contemporary artists to experiment with new media and to reflect on human nature and our troubled relation with Mother Nature. Discover the works of our artists in our collection. This collection is perfect for art lovers who are looking for landscape paintings for their homes/offices.

RtistiQ

25 Nov 2021

5 min to read

SAVE

SHARE

Oil paintings have existed for centuries, from the cave paintings of Bamiyan along the Silk Road to American post-war art. There have been several studies related to the origins of oil as a painting medium with some believing that the technique was first developed in the 11th century, while Giorgio Vasari has credited 15th century Flemish painter Jan van Eyck with the “invention” of oil paints in his famous treatise The Lives of the Artists. However, a discovery in 2008 led to the evidence that oil painting existed as early as 650 CE (7th century CE), when anonymous artists used oil that may have been extracted from walnuts or poppies to decorate the caves in Bamiyan, Afghanistan. The practice of easel painting with oil colours started post-1400 CE, to meet the changing requirements of Renaissance artists who were looking for some other medium than pure egg-yolk tempera. The depth and richness of colour in oil paint is unmatched and it’s slow drying time allows artists to manipulate the medium over an extended period giving the artists the flexibility in blending and layering - thin glazes to dense thick impasto, as well as a wide range of tonal transitions and shades producing both opaque and transparent effects, as well as matt and gloss finishes. Considered a hallmark of the Old Masters, particularly during the Northern Renaissance, oil paint was one of the most preferred mediums for Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, and iconic modernists like Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Wassily Kandinsky and many others. Although there are several remarkable oil paintings by famous artists to study this medium, we have narrowed down the exhaustive list to 10 iconic works. The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck Jan van Eyck’s Arnolfini Portrait (1434) remains one of the most visually intriguing paintings of all time. With all of its details and intricacies, the exquisitely rendered work appears to be a straightforward depiction of a wealthy merchant and his wife. However, on a closer look several mysteries emerge along with Van Eyck’s masterful technique which continue to enthrall viewers till today! (Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons) Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci Mona Lisa (c. 1503-1519), the painting of a mysterious woman with an enigmatic smile, remains one of the most famous paintings in the world. The sitter is believed to be Lisa Gherardini, the wife of Florence merchant Francesco del Giocondo. The painting is known to be the earliest Italian portrait to focus so closely on the sitter in a half-length portrait. (Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons) The Rape of Europa by Titian The Rape of Europa (c. 1559-1562), tells the mythological story of the abduction of Europa by the king of gods, Jupiter, disguised as a white bull. An example of Titian’s late style, the painting’s refined poignancy lies in his use of colour, vividity, luminous tints, brushwork and subtlety of tone. The oil painting continues to have a profound influence on Western art. (Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons) Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer Sometimes nicknamed the “Mona Lisa of the North”, Girl With a Pearl Earring (1665), is brilliant in its simplicity. The girl, wearing a blue and gold turban and an oversized pearl earring is the entire focus with only a dark backdrop behind her. Interestingly, this masterpiece isn't even a portrait, but a “tronie” - a Dutch word for a painting of an imaginary figure with exaggerated features. (Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons) Le déjeuner sur l'herbe (or The Luncheon on the Grass) by Édouard Manet Manet's masterpiece, Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe (1863), featuring a nude woman picnicking in the company of fully-clothed men, draws inspiration from classical paintings of female nudes. Up until The Luncheon on the Grass, female nudes were represented figures from mythology or allegory. By placing an anonymous unclothed woman in a contemporary everyday setting, Manet bridged the gap between the Realist and Impressionist art movements with its modern approach to style and subject matter. (Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons) The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh Few artists are as renowned for their use of color as Vincent van Gogh. His The Starry Night (1889) full of striking blues and yellows, and the dreamy, swirling atmosphere have intrigued art lovers for decades. The painting was created late into the Dutch painter's short career and depicts the view from his window in the asylum at Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. (Image courtesy: Van Gogh Gallery) The Old Guitarist by Pablo Picasso Painted at the height of Picasso’s Blue Period, The Old Guitarist (1903) depicts a feeble blind old man hugging his guitar. Picasso painted it after his close friend and Spanish poet Carles Casagemas commited suicide. The melancholic state was used by design to haunt onlookers in a way that would make them question why the working class and high-class individuals continued to prosper while those that needed the most help continued to languish in poverty. (Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons) The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dali Salvador Dali’s most iconic work, The Persistence of Memory (1931) was painted at the height of the Surrealist art movement. It displays an outlandish subject matter evocative of a dreamscape, which is why it is believed that Dalí was probably hallucinating when he painted the piece. Dalí would attempt to enter a state of self-induced psychotic hallucinations to create what he called “hand-painted dream photographs.” (Image courtesy: Museum of Modern Art, New York) The Kiss by Gustav Klimt Austrian Symbolist painter Gustav Klimt was famous for his dazzling use of gold to give a shimmering effect to his paintings and his masterpiece The Kiss (1907-1908) is no different. Made in the Vienna Secession art movement, this intimate portrait captures a tender moment between a pair of lovers. (Image courtesy: Google Art Project) Nighthawks by Edward Hopper The highly evocative American masterpiece Nighthawks (1942) is a stark depiction of loneliness, alienation and the breakdown of city life, epitomizing somber emotions of a period in history riddled with world wars and the great depression. The oil painting is said to have influenced the look and feel of many Hollywood films including Ridley Scott’s futuristic neo-noir Blade Runner (1982). (Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons) Oil paintings are one of the best investments you can make for your home or business. Discover oil paintings for sale on RtistiQ, A Virtual Art Marketplace For Art Lovers And Artists.

RtistiQ

02 Nov 2021

5 min to read

SAVE

SHARE

We3’ve talked about the lasting appeal of black and white photography even discussed great painters who’ve turned to a black and white palette to create masterpieces. Now, it’s time to return to color. Because while there is certainly a place for monochromatic art, there is simply no denying the power of color. It is one of the most important tools in the artist’s toolkit. When we see rich colors in paintings, we have a surge of emotion, physical sensations, and a million little associations we’ve made with the color over our lives come rushing back. Getting Color Right Before learning how to use color in art, getting the color right is an important first step. For much of its history, Western art has tried to achieve realism through color, capturing it on the canvas through ever more advanced techniques. Nevertheless, there were still things artists could do with color to surprise and inform viewers. For instance, Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer (1632 – 1675) subtly used complementary and near-complementary colors to generate visualinterest (see above). And many, many artists would reach for certain colors for their symbolic meaning. Still, color was mostly limited to parodying real life. It wasn’t until the 19th century that things began to get more exciting for color. Monet Paints Light Study of a Figure Outdoors: Woman with a Parasol, facing left (1886) by Claude Monet Led by the likes of Claude Monet (1840 – 1926), the Impressionists tried to grasp how things actually looked in the moment. Monet in particular was fascinated by the way that time of day radically changed the true colors he was seeing. Monet was onto something, we now know that the visual cortex in the brain is capable of rapidly adjusting to light conditions, despite the actual color signals coming into the eye. He also used color theory extensively, making sure to bring complimentary colors together — pairs like purple and yellow, red and green, blue and orange. These colors set off each other, making both more intense. Still, this was all realistic in a sense. It was done to bring about a more human reality into painting. It would take a new wave of artists to go one step further. Matisse and Escaping Color Realism Woman with a Hat (1905) by Henri Matisse Henri Matisse (1869 – 1954) was an unparalleled forward thinker in art. Along with Picasso, he completely upended tradition’s centuries-long stranglehold on Western art. His experimental use of color is, to this day, his most long lasting achievement. He helped form Fauvism, a movement that broke the convention of using color realistically. Instead, he went for bright, bold colors — using them to create visual interest and aesthetic beauty, rather than strictly mimic reality. Fauvism only lasted a little over a decade, but the implications were enormous. They would go on to shake the foundations of the art world and help usher in modern art. Abstraction and Color No. 61(Rust and Blue) (1953) by Mark Rothko : Copyright Mark Rothko Fauvism pushed artists to be more creative and freer on their canvases than ever before, and later movements would use this new impulse to their full advantage. Abstract art moves away from representation entirely. In the early 20th century, artists began to experiment with this style. Some made less representational paintings of real objects, while others went off to paint entirely abstract compositions. And many cared deeply about color. Painters like Wassily Kandinsky (1866 – 1944) even worked through the spiritual importance of color, embedding his works with emotionally poignant hues. By the mid-century, Abstract Expressionists like Mark Rothko (Orange & Yellow Mark Rothko) (1903 – 1970) got rid of any pretense of a scene, building extremely simple compositions out of blocks of color. While controversial even to this day, his work studied the essence and character of colors, and examined how the simplest of contexts can change the underlying feeling. Since the Abstract Expressionists, contemporary art has gone on to continue where they left off. We are still seeing new approaches, new ideas, and new relationships between the artist and their palette. The history of art can never be understood without grasping that most fundamental of elements: color. Passionate about colors? Discover our curated art collection related to colors below. 1. Purple & Wine Artworks 2. Orange& Yellow Artworks Artworks exploring Cold Colors 3. Artworks exploring Cold Colors

RtistiQ

29 Sep 2021

5 min to read

SAVE

SHARE

Technology changes the way we make art. It always has, always will. As new pigments have become available, painters begin to use those new colors see our article on purple for a great example Photography, more than perhaps any other medium, is connected to progress in the underlying technology. After all, it wasn’t even possible to photograph anything until 1822, when the first photoetching was achieved. Since that time, new innovations created the ability for people to photograph on film, and it took about 100 years for that process to become fast and convenient enough for photographers to set out easily to take pictures. Even still, almost all of these photos were in black and white (also called monochrome), able only to capture the intensity of a light source. Even though color photography could technically be done by the mid 19th century, it was much more expensive and difficult. Through the 20th century, many of the technical limitations with color photography were overcome. Eventually, everyone with a few extra dollars could be a color photographer. For journalists and most at-home family documentarians, color was embraced as soon as it was feasible. But what do we see in fine art photography? The persistence of black and white photography themes. What was once a technical necessity, a choice forced on the photographer by the realities of their medium, is now a choice. And photographers continue to make the choice to shoot in black and white, and in large numbers. Let’s examine why artists still work in this style, and what we as art lovers gain from that decision. Taking Focus Probably the most persistent reason that photographers choose black and white over color is the way it changes their perspective and allows them to focus on fewer elements. Without color, compositions take on new dimensions. Darkness versus light becomes the central way that these photographs achieve texture and form. It’s that classic line that you hear for advice in any creative field: limitations are good for discovery. By taking color away, photographers can focus on fewer elements, leading to surprising images that wouldn’t land with the same force if color was involved. What that means is that photographers open up their work to a much wider range of subjects. By simplifying what they can present, they can actually present more. The Classic Feel Nostalgia is important, and that’s why the connotations around black and white photography are so powerful. When we take black and white photographs, we aren’t just capturing an image, we are creating a work of art. These photographs carry with them more than the scene they present, they carry an aesthetic that means something in and of itself. Black and white photographs appear serious, serene, and timeless. It can lend even the most contemporary scene (like someone scrolling on their smartphone) the air of all that fine art photography that came before. It is a visual bridge, lending heft and gravitas to the subject matter. That alone can be an interesting choice. By recontextualizing moments with black and white, we can hold them up and analyze them as crucial parts of the human condition. Go Toward the Light As we mentioned, black and white photography limits the elements you can focus on. The most crucial element of that is light. And nothing quite captures light in as pure a way as black and white photography. Without color, our eyes can easily make sense of how light is interacting with the world. Often, color adds in detail that actually obscures what light is doing. You have to have a well trained eye to see how light is actually bouncing around a scene when it is in full color. But black and white photography simplifies this, allowing the viewer to see effortlessly the living reality of light. That single feature of black and white photography has given us some of our most cherished images of the last century, and it will no doubt create more as we move into the future. The Future of Black and White Photography We live in an era where everyone has a smartphone capable of taking a seemingly infinite amount of photos instantly. They can be full color or black and white, and you can switch between with a tap of the screen. They can be morphed, adjusted, and augmented instantaneously — no more long hours in the dark room. What we see is that, despite these options, people are still drawn to the simplicity and narrative power of black and white. With so many options, people are still compelled to reach for this classic look. It seems that no matter what technological progress we make, black and white photography is here to stay. While it was created by accident out of the technical limits of a certain time, it has proven to be an important artform all its own. Passionate about Black & White photography themes? Discover timeless Black & White Artworks on RtistiQ.

RtistiQ

29 Sep 2021

5 min to read

SAVE

SHARE

Purple. One of the most dynamic and impressive colors in the visible light spectrum, it continues to exude power and prestige. In many cultures, this hue has been used to identify a monarch. And that connection continues to the present day. Combining the cool presence of blue with the robust charisma of red, purple is one of the most enigmatic colors. It seems electric at times, at other times serene. It merges the strengths of both cool and warm colors, standing as an entity unto itself. To understand why purple has such a pull on us, we need to understand its long history — social, political, and artistic. The Early History of Making Purplerait of Empress Catherine the Great of Russia (circa 1780) by Fyodor Rokotov Part of the appeal and mystique of this color throughout the past few millennia has been the extreme difficulty we’ve had producing it. The first millennia BC saw one purple pigment emerge, but it came at a high price. (While manganese was used in the neolithic to make purple, it would not be common again until the modern era.) While today you can purchase purple paint for a few dollars at any craft store, it used to be an expensive and daunting task. One of the first ways we created it was through the murex shellfish. This creature could be used to produce a pigment called purpura, also known as Tyrian purple But hundreds of thousands of murex were required to make even a small amount, limiting its use to the richest and most powerful people in society. One famous lover of Tyrian purple was none other than Julius Caesar. And he got a taste for it while visiting Cleopatra’s palace. Caesar wasn’t satisfied with having a lot of purple, he made it illegal for anyone else to wear it. Nero would later become even more committed, making it a capital offense, meaning death for anyone who dared to wear the great leader’s favorite color. While Rome eventually fell, the status it gave purple survived. For European kings, this was the color to show your regal status. Even the Catholic Church used purple for the robes of bishops. But as it so often does, technology eventually came in to democratize access to purple. But while the economics of the color changed, it nevertheless continued its hold on the imagination. Purple for the Masses The Artist’sGarden at Giverny (1900) by Claude Monet It was the precocious William Henry Perkiin who created the first synthetic purple pigment in 1856 — he was only a teenager at the time. While working with coal tar as a potential cure for malaria, he couldn’t help but notice the purple patina the material gave his instruments. What once was a color reserved for the elite of society could be created with this inexpensive base. Soon after this pigment was discovered — creating what the inventor called mauve — a new generation of artists were seeking to capture natural light on their canvases. Called the Impressionists, this group fell in love with purple, and for the first time it was relatively easy to acquire it. They used it so much that they were accused of “violettomania” by art critics. With high demand meeting high supply, purple was everywhere. As the Impressionists came and went, new waves of artists continued to experiment with purple artworks. Some of the greatest names in 20th century art made extensive use of the color — none other than Mark Rothko, Francis Bacon, and Georgia O’Keeffe make up only a few of the masters transfixed by purple. Pop art picked up the color as well, finding its exuberance and, at times, tackiness a perfect choice for their works. In the 80s, industrial and graphic designers used the color frequently, especially the Memphis school which came to define the look of the era. Purple Today It is interesting to scroll through the visual culture today and see just how much the design of the 80s and 90s is being referenced. Those references often include heavy use of one color: purple. It seems that purple, more than any color, has left an indelible stamp on us. From its origins as a rare commodity, the exclusive hue of the emperor, to its status as the color du jour of fine art, to its ubiquitous presence in pop culture — purple has kept us captivated. As we move further into the 21st century, there is no doubt that we will make use of purple, but in what new ways? Only time will tell. Looking for a purple artworks for your living room? Browse now on RtistiQ a curated collection of artworks that celebrates the meaning of Purple.

RTISTIQ TEAM

10 Sep 2021

5 min to read

SAVE

SHARE