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See also: [[Prehistoric art]]

See also: [[Prehistoric art]]

 

{{quotebox|We know from textual and archaeological sources that painting was practiced in China from very early times and in a variety of media. Wall paintings were produced in great numbers in the early period of China's history.<ref>[http://depts.washington.edu/chinaciv/painting/4ptgintr.htm Chinese Painting]</ref>}}

We know from textual and archaeological sources that painting was practiced in China from very early times and in a variety of media. Wall paintings were produced in great numbers in the early period of China's history. <ref> [http://depts.washington.edu/chinaciv/painting/4ptgintr.htm Chinese Painting] </ref>

 

Essentially, painting has changed very little since these times: the surfaces have evolved through rock faces, the walls of buildings, [[silk]], [[paper]], [[wood]], [[cloth]] and [[canvas]], while the range of pigments used have encompassed earths and minerals, plant extracts and modern synthetic colours. The earliest example of silk painting was excavated from the Mawangdui Tomb in central [[China]] of the Warring States Period (476-221 B.C.)<ref>[http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_artqa/2004-01/19/content_45741.htm ''Chinese Painting'']. ChinaCulture.org. 14 May 2008</ref> The pigments have also been mixed with water and gums to make paint,<ref>''Painting.'' The Tate Collection. op cit.</ref> and the earliest known examples of oil paints were used in [[Afghanistan]] in the seventh century, derived possibly from [[walnut]]s or the [[poppy|poppies]] which grew in the area.<ref>Dowd, Vincent. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7361994.stm ''Oil painting originated in East'']. BBC News. 22 April 2008. news.bbc.co.uk 14 May 2008</ref> Oil paints were eventually introduced in [[Europe]] in the fifteenth century using [[linseed]] oil. The flexibility and durability of this new medium "played a major part in the explosion of creativity in Western painting during and after the [[Renaissance]]."<ref>''Painting.'' The Tate Collection. op cit.</ref>  

Essentially, painting has changed very little since these times: the surfaces have evolved through rock faces, the walls of buildings, [[silk]], [[paper]], [[wood]], [[cloth]] and [[canvas]], while the range of pigments used have encompassed earths and minerals, plant extracts and modern synthetic colours. The earliest example of silk painting was excavated from the Mawangdui Tomb in central [[China]] of the Warring States Period (476-221 B.C.)<ref>[http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_artqa/2004-01/19/content_45741.htm ''Chinese Painting'']. ChinaCulture.org. 14 May 2008</ref> The pigments have also been mixed with water and gums to make paint,<ref>''Painting.'' The Tate Collection. op cit.</ref> and the earliest known examples of oil paints were used in [[Afghanistan]] in the seventh century, derived possibly from [[walnut]]s or the [[poppy|poppies]] which grew in the area.<ref>Dowd, Vincent. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7361994.stm ''Oil painting originated in East'']. BBC News. 22 April 2008. news.bbc.co.uk 14 May 2008</ref> Oil paints were eventually introduced in [[Europe]] in the fifteenth century using [[linseed]] oil. The flexibility and durability of this new medium "played a major part in the explosion of creativity in Western painting during and after the [[Renaissance]]."<ref>''Painting.'' The Tate Collection. op cit.</ref>  

===Cultural styles===

===Cultural styles===

[[Image:Nefertari Merytmut.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Egyptian wall painting c. 1300–1250 B.C. depicting Queen Nefertari Merytmut]]

[[Image:Nefertari Merytmut.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Egyptian wall painting c. 1300–1250 B.C. depicting Queen Nefertari Merytmut]]

From the fourth century onwards the early civilizations of the Mediterranean region and Europe began to produce paintings of sufficiently consistent artistic style that art [[history|historians]] and [[archaeology|archaeologists]] are able to distinguish which works belonged to which cultures. "Egyptian artwork is highly detailed, their figures are still and appear rigid. [[Minoa|Minoan]] art [2800 B.C. onwards], on the other hand, is extraordinary for its sense of movement and its emphasis on the living world."<ref>''Painting before 1300.'' op cit</ref> Few examples of [[Ancient Greece|Greek]] painting (c. 600-100 B.C.) have survived, originally painted on wood which has rotted away or buildings which have been destroyed. Its style was very influential however on the Roman style of paintings, which spread throughout the [[Roman Empire]] into the [[Middle East]], [[North Africa]] and Europe.

From the fourth century onwards the early civilizations of the Mediterranean region and Europe began to produce paintings of sufficiently consistent artistic style that art [[history|historians]] and [[archaeology|archaeologists]] are able to distinguish which works belonged to which cultures. ''Egyptian artwork is highly detailed, their figures are still and appear rigid.'' [[File:Hagia Sophia Christ mosaic XII c.jpg|thumb|left|Hagia Sophia, Christ mosaic, XII c.]]

''[[Minoa|Minoan]] art [2800 B.C. onwards], on the other hand, is extraordinary for its sense of movement and its emphasis on the living world.'' <ref> ''Painting before 1300.'' op cit. </ref> Few examples of [[Ancient Greece|Greek]] painting (c. 600-100 B.C.) have survived, originally painted on wood which has rotted away or buildings which have been destroyed. Its style was very influential however on the Roman style of paintings, which spread throughout the [[Roman Empire]] into the [[Middle East]], [[North Africa]] and Europe.

 

[[Christianity]] brought further change to the Roman style, particularly as the "illustration of the Gospels was... necessary in order to spread the beliefs to the new converts, most of whom were illiterate. After the Roman Empire collapsed, Europe's greatest inheritance was the Roman-Christian tradition, which was heavily infused with classical ideas and Christian artistic styles. Despite some scholarly belief that the [[Middle Ages]] was a period of artistic decline, the existence of beautiful painted manuscripts and glowing altars from that period suggests otherwise."<ref>''Painting before 1300.'' op cit.</ref>

[[Christianity]] brought further change to the Roman style, particularly as the "illustration of the Gospels was... necessary in order to spread the beliefs to the new converts, most of whom were illiterate. After the Roman Empire collapsed, Europe's greatest inheritance was the Roman-Christian tradition, which was heavily infused with classical ideas and Christian artistic styles. Despite some scholarly belief that the [[Middle Ages]] was a period of artistic decline, the existence of beautiful painted manuscripts and glowing altars from that period suggests otherwise."<ref>''Painting before 1300.'' op cit.</ref>

[[Image:Pompeii_fresco.jpg|thumb|200px|Detail of a Roman fresco c.70 A.D. discovered at [[Pompeii]]]]

[[Image:Pompeii_fresco.jpg|thumb|200px|Detail of a Roman fresco c.70 A.D. discovered at [[Pompeii]]]]

Different types of painting are usually identified by the "medium" that carries the pigment. This affects the viscosity, miscibility, solubility, durability, flexibility and the appearance of the applied pigment. Common media include:<ref>[http://www.westgateartsupplies.com/index.php?id=atoz ''Media'']. Westgate Gallery. 14 May 2008</ref>

Different types of painting are usually identified by the "medium" that carries the pigment. This affects the viscosity, miscibility, solubility, durability, flexibility and the appearance of the applied pigment. Common media include:<ref>[http://www.westgateartsupplies.com/index.php?id=atoz ''Media'']. Westgate Gallery. 14 May 2008</ref>

*[[Acrylic paint|Acrylic]]  

*[[Acrylic paint|Acrylic]]  

*[[Fresco]]

*[[Fresco]]

*[[Gouache]]  

*[[Gouache]]  

*[[Ink]]

*[[Ink]]

*[[Oil paint|Oil]]  

*[[Oil paint|Oil]]  

*Oil pastels  

*Oil pastels  

==Composition and design==

==Composition and design==

 

The execution and design of a painting can be subdivided as:

The execution and design of a painting can be subdivided as:

*Formal Elements:  

**Colour - Color is more than a filling in of space, as it may have a structural role to play in the composition. The painter may use it to connect areas of the painting through similarity or create contrast by difference. It can also create spatial depth, harmony and mood.  

 

Formal Elements:  

*Colour - Color is more than a filling in of space, as it may have a structural role to play in the composition. The painter may use it to connect areas of the painting through similarity or create contrast by difference. It can also create spatial depth, harmony and mood.  

 

<blockquote>

<blockquote>

[[Leonardo da Vinci]] describes color contrast, in particular the simultaneous contrast of complementary colors, as follows:  

[[Leonardo da Vinci]] describes color contrast, in particular the simultaneous contrast of complementary colors, as follows:  

“Of different colors equally perfect, that will appear most excellent which is seen near its direct contrary blue near yellow, green near red: because each color is more distinctly seen when opposed to its contrary than to any other similar to it.”

“Of different colors equally perfect, that will appear most excellent which is seen near its direct contrary blue near yellow, green near red: because each color is more distinctly seen when opposed to its contrary than to any other similar to it.”

</blockquote> <ref>[http://www.webexhibits.org/colorart/bd.html Using Color Contrasts throughout the Ages]</ref>

<ref>[http://www.webexhibits.org/colorart/bd.html Using Color Contrasts throughout the Ages]</ref></blockquote>

**Space - Painters describe different kinds of space, such as primitive ("flat") space; illusionistic, ("Renaissance") space; modern space (developed from [[Paul Cezanne|Cezanne's]] union of flat and illusionistic space); and all-over space, such as that used by [[Jackson Pollock]] in his drip paintings. There is also "positive" space (occupied by a form or figure) and "negative" space (loosely, the background).

*Space - Painters describe different kinds of space, such as primitive ("flat") space; illusionistic, ("Renaissance") space; modern space (developed from [[Paul Cezanne|Cezanne's]] union of flat and illusionistic space); and all-over space, such as that used by [[Jackson Pollock]] in his drip paintings. There is also "positive" space (occupied by a form or figure) and "negative" space (loosely, the background).

**Composition - When deciding the composition of the painting, the painter will be influenced by the subject (eg landscape, portrait, still life) and then how the forms within the subject relate to the borders of the painting. How the viewer's eye is meant to be drawn over the whole and to certain areas will also determine the composition.

*Composition - When deciding the composition of the painting, the painter will be influenced by the subject (eg. landscape, portrait, still life) and then how the forms within the subject relate to the borders of the painting. How the viewer's eye is meant to be drawn over the whole and to certain areas will also determine the composition.

*Pictorial Elements:  

 

**Line

Pictorial Elements:  

**Shape

*Line

**Colour

*Shape

**Texture

*Colour

**Space

*Texture

*Space

''The elements of design (i.e., line, colour, tone, texture) are used in various ways to produce sensations of volume, space, movement, and light. The range of media (e.g., tempera, fresco, oil, watercolour, ink, gouache, encaustic, casein) and the choice of a particular form (e.g., mural, easel, panel, miniature, illuminated manuscript, scroll, screen, fan) combine to realize a unique visual image.'' <ref>[http://www.answers.com/library/Britannica+Concise+Encyclopedia-cid-1525503101 Britannica Concise Encyclopedia].</ref>

''The elements of design (i.e., line, colour, tone, texture) are used in various ways to produce sensations of volume, space, movement, and light. The range of media (e.g., tempera, fresco, oil, watercolour, ink, gouache, encaustic, casein) and the choice of a particular form (e.g., mural, easel, panel, miniature, illuminated manuscript, scroll, screen, fan) combine to realize a unique visual image.'' <ref>[http://www.answers.com/library/Britannica+Concise+Encyclopedia-cid-1525503101 Britannica Concise Encyclopedia].</ref>

The [[Art movements|movement]] or school that an artist is associated with is usually reflected in the style of the painting. Movements include:

The [[Art movements|movement]] or school that an artist is associated with is usually reflected in the style of the painting. Movements include:

[[Image:Michelangeloflood.jpg|thumb|220px|The Flood by Michelangelo (detail from the [[Sistine Chapel]]).]]

[[Image:Michelangeloflood.jpg|thumb|220px|The Flood by [[Michelangelo]] (detail from the [[Sistine Chapel]]).]]

*[[Abstract art|Abstract]]

*[[Abstract art|Abstract]]

*[[Abstract Expressionism]]

*[[Abstract Expressionism]]

*[[Expressionism]]

*[[Expressionism]]

*[[Fauvism]]

*[[Fauvism]]

*[[Futurism]]

*[[Futurism]]

*[[Impressionism]]

*[[Impressionism]]

*[[Neo-Impressionism]]

*[[Neo-Impressionism]]

*[[Neo-pop realism]]

*[[Neo-pop realism]]

*[[Op Art]]

*[[Op Art]]

*[[Pointillism]]

*[[Pointillism]]

*[[Pop Art]]

*[[Pop Art]]

*[[Post-Impressionism]]

*[[Post-Impressionism]]

*[[Postmodernism]]

*[[Postmodernism]]