Unit 6: Appreciating Visual Arts

Unit 6: Appreciating Visual Arts

Introduction
Art is a universal language all humans understand and use to communicate
(Sabol, 2011).
Visual arts convey messages of emotions, ideas, or information. We use art
to express ourselves and to speak to others across time and place. Let visual
arts awaken our essential drive to create and understand visual imagery.
Let this unit familiarize you with the three (3) components of visual arts,
which are the fine arts, decorative arts, and contemporary visual arts. Let
Visual Arts enable us to explore our creative powers and nurture our artistic
capacities as we witness the beauty of fine arts in paintings, drawings,
graphics, sculptures, and architecture. Let Visual Arts stimulate our
imagination as we scrutinize the amazing decorative arts in tapestries,
textiles, ceramics, mosaic artworks, glass arts, tattoo, and jewelry. Let Visual
Arts excite our senses as we sift through the contemporary visual arts in
photography, art print, video art, animation, and graffiti.
Come along, enliven your senses, bring your desire to learn, and let’s
discover and appreciate the world of visual arts through the windows of our
souls.

Unit Learning Outcomes

At the end of the unit, you will be able to:
a. describe artistic styles of different visual arts;

b. demonstrate an understanding of visual arts, as well as their subject,

function, medium, value, and social significance;

c. create artworks from the different categories of visual arts integrating its
various elements;

d. launch a mini art exhibit of local visual arts for the community; and

e. develop a positive attitude towards the multiple functions of the visual arts
and their significance in different cultures through personal and perceptive
analysis.

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Topic 1: Visual Artworks and Artists

Time Allotment: 3 hours
Learning Objectives

At the end of this unit, you will be able to

a. describe the different types of visual arts
b. recognize notable visual artists;
c. discover their creativity by producing visual artworks; and
d. demonstrate an appreciation of local visual artists.

Presentation of Contents
Visual arts are those art forms intended to be appreciated or perceived
primarily by sight. These art forms are prevalent and incredibly diverse.
There are three (3) categories of visual arts: (i) fine arts, (ii) decorative arts,
and (iii) contemporary arts.

Fine Arts are developed primarily for aesthetics or beauty and intellectual
purposes and judged for its beauty and meaningfulness, emphasizing
painting, sculpture, drawing, watercolor, graphics, and architecture. The
perception of artistic qualities requires a refined judgment, usually referred
to as having good taste.

Decorative Arts is an art form that applies design and decoration to everyday
objects in order to make them aesthetically pleasing. This is more utilitarian
and has a function but retains an artistic style and still requires talent to create.
It includes tapestry, ceramics, mosaic art, glass art, jewelry, tattoo,
woodwork, interior design, textile arts, and crafts.

Contemporary Arts is a form of art of today, conceived in modern times,

which include photography, art print, video art, animation, graffiti, and
installation art. The art forms are produced in a globally-influenced,
culturally diverse, and technologically advancing world.

Mediums of Visual Arts

Mediums comes from the Latin word “medium” which denotes the ways or
methods by which an artist communicates his idea. These are the materials,

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which are used by an artist to interpret his feelings or thoughts. Many

mediums are used in creating different works of art. Visual arts are those seen
mediums and which occupy space.

A two-dimensional art includes painting, drawing, printmaking, tapestry, and

photography. Three-dimensional art techniques include sculpture,
architecture, crafts, ceramics, and jewelry. The mediums in visual arts are
discussed as follows.

Two-dimensional Arts

Painting
Painting is the application of pigment to a usually flat surface. Each medium
exerts a pronounced effect on the finished product, is capable of different
treatment, and determines its stroke. These mediums are applied to wet
plaster, canvas, wood, or paper.

• Watercolor Watercolor is a painting material made up of pigment

mixed with water, which after
mixing using brush is applied into the
paper. It is possible to change a
portion of the work even if
the watercolor paint has been applied,
but the color becomes less brilliant.
Though using this medium proves to
be a challenge, some watercolor
artists are able to achieve stunning
effects through some techniques like Vincent Van Gogh, “ Fishing Boats on the Beach”
“gouache”, an opaque watercolor Source: https://artist.com/art

painting with effects caused by

the white watercolor paper used. It is done by mixing zinc white with
regular watercolor paints to
tone it down and
produce a dramatic effect on
the final painting
appearance.
Some of the watercolor
artists are Vincent Van Gogh,
“Sugarcane”
Jun Martinez,
Source:https://watercolorpainting.com/famous artists

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Frank Weber, Emil Nolde, Jun Martinez, Margarita Lim, Ang Kiukuk, and
Ephraim Samson.

• Fresco
Fresco is a painting
technique done on a
wet plastered wall.
Glowing is the
primary
characteristic of this
kind of painting. It is
one of the oldest
types of painting.
The finish outcome
of a fresco is like a
Michelangelo, “The Creation of Adam” marble wall. Quick
Source: https://admissions.johncabot.edu
application is the
technique used in
this art because it is an exacting medium. Once the paint is applied, the color
dries into plaster and becomes permanent. Other artworks on fresco paintings
are the “School of Athens” by Raphael, the “Allegory of Divine Providence
and Barberini
Power” by Pietro
da Cortona, Sistine
Chapel Frescoes
by Michelangelo,
and the “Expulsion
from the Garden of
Eden” by
Masaccio.

Fresco painting at a Bohol Church

Source: GMA News Online

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• Tempera
Tempera (also called egg tempera) is a method of painting that employs an
emulsion of water, egg yolk or whole eggs sometimes with a little glue, honey
or milk). Tempera is
applied onto a prepared
surface. Wood panel
painting is prepared with
layers of gesso (a
mixture of size and
chalk) to form a smooth
surface. The tempera is
then applied over a
prepared drawing or
sketch and built up
slowly in a series of thin,
transparent layers. Botticelli, Birth of Venus
Tempera paintings are Source: https://artist.com/art

very long lasting, and

colors do not deteriorate over time. It dries quickly, and when dry, it produces
a smooth matte finish (Visual Arts Encyclopedia).

• Pastel
Pastel is a painting medium that consists
of color pigment in powder and a binder
compounded with gum water. It is a
very adaptable medium whose colors

Anita Magsaysay-Ho, “Harvest”

Source: https://www.pinterest.ph

are resplendent but the finished

product is difficult to preserve
because the chalk can rub off.

Fabian dela Rosa, “Manila Girl”

Source: www.pinterest.com

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• Encaustic
Encaustic painting is a mixed media
technique that involves using heated
wax or beeswax added with colored
pigment. A prepared surface like
wood, canvas, or other materials is
usually applied with liquid or paste.
This kind of painting produces luster
and brilliance. The term comes from
Greek, meaning "burning in" (Artist
Network, 2019).

Fayum Mummy Portrait (EA74714)

Source: www.britishmuseum.org

The Fayum mummy portrait is from

the Roman period around 140-150
B.C. The portrait, a man of mature
years, perhaps was a priest, in
encaustic on lime wood: the panel is
cracked through the right side from
the upper edge to the subject's
proper left ear. A row of four nail Edgar Degas, “Four Ballerinas on
Stage”
holes indicative of reuse or Source: www.edgar-degas.org
attachment to a frame runs across
the panel 6.3 cm below the upper
edge, and a row of three holes 9-
9.5 cm above the lower edge. The
background is a greenish cream.
During the Roman period, they use
encaustic to portray the dead and
attach it to the remains after
mummification. This artifact is
housed in the British Museum.

Geraldine Javier, “Proposal for the

National Dog of the Philippines”
Source: www.pinterest.com

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Fernando Amorsolo, “Harvest Time”

Source: www.mutualart.com

• Oil
Oil painting is one of the most high-
priced and high valued arts (painting)
Leonardo da Vinci, “Monalisa”
because of the cost of its materials. It Source: Fine Homes and Living
is the heftiest of painting mediums.
Pigments are mixed with linseed oil or turpentine and applied to the canvas
that appears glossy and last long. (Ariola, 2014) Notable artists with their
works are “Planting Rice” by Fernando Amorsolo, “The Last Supper” by
Leonardo da Vinci, “Doni Tondo” by Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti
Simoni, “Musical Allegory” by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, “Fisherman”
by Ang Kiukok, “Spoliarium” by Juan Luna, and “Las Virgenes Cristianas
Expuestas al Populacho” by Felix Resureccion Hidalgo.

• Acrylic
Acrylic is a synthetic paint
mixed with acrylic emulsion
binder for the surface overlaying
of the artwork. It has a quick
drying characteristics and
flexibility of oil thus making it
one of the favorites of artists
(Ariola, 2014). Acrylics evolved
over time. The acrylic paint of
earlier times are different from
today’s but they share the same
Thomas Hart Benton, “The Bicyclers” characteristics which are
Source: www.artistnetwork.com
mixable, easily cleaned or

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thinned with water, and

dry fairly quickly
(typically between 5-20
minutes). Acrylics act as
a vehicle for any kind
of pigment, and are
capable of providing
both the transparent
brilliance
of watercolor and the
density of oil paint.
They are observed to be
less affected by extreme
temperature and other
destructive forces than
JV Totanes, “Oldest Tattoo Artist ApoWhang-Od”
oil paint. They found Source: www.saatchiart.com
approval among artists
who were anxious about the health risks posed by the usage of oil paints and
the inhalation of fumes associated with them. Because of all these desirable
features, acrylic paints became instantaneously popular with artists when they
were first commercially endorsed in the 1960s. Notable 20th-century artists
who used acrylic paint include pop artists and Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein,
Op artists Mark Rothko, Ellsworth Kelly, and Barnett Newman, and British
artist David Hockney (Artist Network, 2019).

• Mosaic
Mosaic is the art of creating images with an
assemblage of small pieces of colored glass,
stone, or other materials often glued on a
surface with plaster or cement. It is a 4000-
year-old practice and the earliest known
examples of mosaics made of different
materials were found at a temple building in
Ubaid, Mesopotamia, and are dated to the
second half of 3rd millennium BCE. They
consist of pieces of colored stones, shells and
ivory. Excavations at Susa and Choqa Zanbil
show evidence of the first glazed tiles, dating
from around 1500 BCE (Ancient History
Gigi Campos, “Misami” Encyclopedia). Some of the notable mosaics
Source:www.choosephilppines.com
are found in the churches of Basilica of
Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, Sant’Apollinare in

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Classe and Basilica of San

Vitale (all three churches are
on the UNESCO World
Heritage List). A glass
mosaic which is one of the
largest of its kind in the
world hangs on the Villa
Harvey Mandel building in
San Diego, California.
Another impressive mosaic
is located at the New York
City subway stations. A
remarkable mosaic was also
inlaid in London, England in
the 13th century when the
A part of the mosaic “Alexander the Great”
Abbot of Westminster Source: www.pinterest.com
brought back from Italy to
England a ship full of marble, glass, and Italian craftsmen that made way for
the “Great Pavement in Westminster Abbey to be laid down that depict the
universe and its end.

• Stained Glass
Stained glass is an
artwork made by
conjoining small pieces
of precut stained glass
that is clasped by strips
of lead usually
reinforced with iron
bars that form heavy
black lines. It is mostly
used in church windows
but also sometimes
used in rose windows in
formal buildings
(Ariola, 2014). The
glass are colored with metallic oxides while in the smelted state, copper for
ruby, cobalt for blue, manganese for purple, and antimony for yellow, iron for
green. Sheets of medieval glass were produced by blowing a bubble of glass,
manipulating it into a cylindrical shape, cutting away the ends to form a roll
or tube, cutting the tube lengthwise down one side, and flattening it into a sheet
while the glass was still red hot and in a malleable state. It was then allowed

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to cool very slowly in a

furnace so that it would be
properly annealed and not
too difficult to cut up into
whatever shapes might be
needed for the design. Since
these sheets of glass, with
the exception of a type
known as flashed glass,
were intrinsically colored
with one basic color
throughout, changes from Basilica Minore Nuestra Senora de Piat in
one color to another in the Cagayan
Source:www.hiveminer.com
design of a window could be
effected only by introducing
separate pieces of glass in each of the requisite colors. (Encyclopedia
Britannica). Examples of stained glass are the Rose windows in Notre Dame
of Paris, the windows in the Manila Cathedral, the stunning windows of Saint-
Chappelle in France.
• Tapestry or Textile
Tapestry or textile is a
piece of fabric with
images or designs
formed by weaving
colored threads or by
embroidering on canvas.
It is a woven decorative
fabric, the design of
which is built up in the
course of weaving.
Broadly, the name has
been used for almost any
heavy material, hand-
woven, machine-woven,
or even embroidered,
Bayeux Tapestry depicting the Normans used to cover furniture,
Source: Bayeux Museum
walls, or floors or for the

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Bakong Textiles
Source: Department of Trade and Industry Region 02

decoration of clothing. Since the 18th and 19th centuries, however, the
technical definition of tapestry has been narrowed to include only heavy,
reversible, patterned or figured hand-woven textiles, usually in the form of
fabrics for hangings, upholstery, and added decoration to clothing. Examples
of tapestries or textiles are the “Gaddang textile” from Nueva Vizcaya, the
“Inabel” of Ilocos Norte, the Malong of Maranaw, “The Lady and the
Unicorn” from Australia.

Drawing
Drawing is done on a light colored
surface like paper, wood, canvas
using pencil, pen and ink, or charcoal
and usually done as training for
artists.

• Pencils are made of graphite

and are graded to indicate the
different degrees of hardness
and softness, which provides
variations, and shade
gradations of the resulting
drawing. To create lines, the
hard pencils are used and for
creating textures and shades,
the soft ones are used.
Pencil Drawing
Source: noypicollection.com

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• Pen and Ink is executed with

the use of black and other colored
inks, India ink, Chinese ink, liners,
markers, and regular ballpoint pen
are some of the favorite samples
used by comic strip illustrators and
cartoonists.

• Charcoal is a drawing material

made of carbon in different forms
like stick, compressed, powder,
and vine. It is used in representing
broad masses of light and shadow
by blending, smearing, or
smudging over paper or other light
colored surfaces.

• Crayons are colored sticks

made from paraffin wax mixed
Charcoal Rendering with pigments. It is trendy among
Source: Arts and Display
children. The ideal surface for
crayons is paper.

Pen and India Ink

Source: www.saatchiart.com

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Printmaking
Printmaking is done by
creating an artist’s plate,
which can either be
original artwork or from
an image which can later
on transferred to a white
paper using black ink. It is
usually done for
duplicating or making
multiple copies of an
original drawing. The
different major techniques Katsushik Hokusai, “The Underwave of
in printmaking are relief Kanagawa”
Source: metmuseum.org
process (woodcut, wood
engraving, linoleum cut, metal cut, cardboard cut, relief etching, rubbing, and
dotted print), intaglio process (engraving, drypoint, mezzotint, crayon
engraving, etching, and metal graphic), surface printing, special techniques
(monoprint, cliché-verre, cellocut, collagraphy, plaster print), and process
prints (linecut, halftone cut, rotogravure, and offset lithography). Notable
examples of printmaking, are “A Flood on Java” by Raden Saleh, “Combat of
the Giaour and the Pasha” by Eugene Delacroix, “Durer’s Rhinoceros” by
Albrecht Durer,
“Guru Tokimune” by
Yoshitoshi, check out
the other works of
Manuel Rodriguez
Sr., the Father of
Printmaking in the
Philippines like
“Dance of the Fire
Birds”, “Interlude”,
and “Sabong”, and
the works of
Benedicto “BenCab”
Cabrera “Sabel”,
“Ang Babae sa
Duyan”, and
“Tryptych on Love”.
Manuel Rodriguez Sr.
Source: thantsinkedup.com

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Lithography

Lithography is a reproduction
process that uses a leveled stone
or metal plate on which the
positive image areas are worked
by means of a greasy substance
so that the ink will stick to the
surface, while the negative
image areas are made ink-
repellent. Lithography literally
means “to write on stone.” It
came from the Greek word
lithos meaning “stone” and
graphein meaning “to write”. It
was invented in the late
eighteenth century, initially
using limestone as the printing Pablo Picasso, “Guernica 2”
Source: Society6.com
surface. Lithography is a
printing process established on the point that grease and water do not blend.
The image is smeared to a leveled yet grained surface (traditionally stone but
now usually aluminum) using a greasy medium: such as a special greasy ink
– called tusche, crayon, pencils, lacquer, or synthetic materials. A solution
of gum arabic and nitric acid is
applied over the surface, producing
water-receptive non-printing areas
and grease-receptive image areas.
The printing surface is kept damp, so
that a roller charged with oil-based
ink can be rolled over the surface, and
ink will only stick to the grease-
receptive image area. Paper is then
placed against the surface and the
plate is run through a press (Tate UK).
Notable lithography artists are Pablo
Picasso, Marc Chagall, Claude
Garache, Wilfredo Lam, Ronald
Ventura, Ambie Abanos, and Arturo
Ambie Abanos, “True North” Luz.
Source: http://verafiles.org

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Tattoo

Tattoo is the
permanent
insertion of ink
below the skin,
using a sharp
instrument.
Humans have
done tattooing
for cosmetic and
ritual purposes
since at least the
Neolithic era.
Some tattoo Apo Whang-Od doing the traditional hand poking tattooing
Source: www.gifted.ph
artists are still
using traditional techniques, tools and pigments. In the Philippines, the most
notable traditional tattoo artist is Apo Whang-Od from Kalinga province who
uses lemon thorn and charcoal ink for her art. Some of today’s tattoo practice
is made relatively safe by the use of nonreactive pigments, sterile, disposable
needles, and sterile work conditions. Some of the notable tattoo artists both
foreign and local are Ajarn Noo Kanpai, Alex Muller, Norman Keith “Sailor
Jerry” Collins, Maud Stevens Wagner, Apo Whang-Od, Kenneth Iwarat, Draz
Palaming, and Dragon Edong.

Photography or Pictorialism
Photography is the art,
utilization, and practice of
creating long-lasting images
by recording light or other
electromagnetic radiation,
either electronically
utilizing an image sensor, or
chemically using a light-
sensitive material such as
Andreas Gursky, “Rhein II” priced at US$ 4.3M photographic film.
Source: http://www.lik.com/ Pictorialism is an approach
to photography that
emphasizes beauty of subject matter, tonality, and composition rather than the
documentation of reality. The Pictorialist perspective was born in the late
1860s. It approached the camera as a tool that, like the paintbrush and chisel,
could be used to make an artistic statement.

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The essential elements of the image

captured by a camera are usually
established immediately at the time of
exposure. This characteristic is unique
to photography and sets it apart from
other ways of picture making. The
seemingly automatic recording of an
image by photography has given the
process a sense of authenticity shared
by no other picture-making technique.
The photograph possesses, in the
popular mind, such apparent accuracy
that the adage “the camera does not
lie” has become an accepted cliché
(Encyclopedia Britannica). Among the Angelo Fan, “Bouyancy”
famous photographers are Anne Source: International Photo Awards

Geddes who is notable for her photos

of babies, Cindy Sherman with her conceptual portraits, Paul Quiambao with
his captivating UST photos, and Eduardo Masferre (the Father of Philippine
Photography) for his impressive photographic cultural chronicles of the upland
people.

Graffiti
Graffiti are writing or drawings
that have been scribbled
scratched, or painted illicitly on
a wall or other surface, often
within public view. The word
graffiti, or its singular
form “graffito”, comes from
the Italian word graffiato which
means “scratched”. While the
practice of creating graffiti has
existed since ancient times, it
Kookoo Ramos
comes to the forefront as a
Source: artradarjournal.com modern art movement in the
second half of the 20th century
(Anirudh, 2017). Graffiti is one of the most radical contemporary art
movements; "graffiti art" (also called "Street Art," "Spray can Art," "Subway

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Art" or "Aerosol Art")

commonly refers to
beautiful imagery
applied by paint or
other means to
buildings, public
transport or other
property. According to
Brighenti (2010),
graffiti is an
“interstitial practice”,
a practice about which
different actors hold Eduardo Cobra
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
different conceptions,
depending on how it is
related to other practices such as ‘art and design (as aesthetic work), criminal
law (as vandalism crime), politics (as a message of resistance and liberation),
and market (as merchandisable product). Among the famous graffiti artists
in the world are David Choe, Lady Pink, Bansky, Brian Barrios, and KooKoo
Ramos.

Three-dimensional Arts
Sculpture

Sculpture is a kind of visual arts that

operates in three dimensions. The three
(3) classifications are freestanding,
relief, and environmental. The mediums
used in sculpture are further discussed
below. (Gallery 104) There are
numerous notable sculptures since time
immemorial; some of which are the
“David”, “Venus de Milo”, “Terracotta
Warriors”, “UP Oblation”,
“Gomburza”, “Rizal’s Monument”,
“EDSA Shrine”, and “Blood Compact”
to name a few.
Guillermo Tolentino, “Oblation”
Source:https://medium.comhttps://medium.com

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• Stone includes sandstones,

granite, basalt, marble, and
limestone. It is a hard substance
formed from mineral and earth
material whose finished product
is rough and dull look. (Ariola,
2014)

• Jade is a semi-precious green or

whitish stone, which is highly
esteemed and widely used in
China as an ornamental stone for
carving and jewelry.

• Ivory is the hard white or cream-

colored substance from tusks of
animals like elephants, walrus, Napoleon Abueva, “Family
etc. used for carvings. Group” Source: pinterest.com

• Metals are one of the favorite materials used by sculptors because of

its ductility, conductivity and luster. The metals used as mediums for
sculpture are copper, brass, bronze, silver, gold, lead and aluminum.

• Plaster is a mixture of lime,

water, and sand, gypsum or
cement. It is used extensively in
making mannequins, models,
molds, architectural decorations,
and other indoor sculpture.

• Clay is an earthy material that

consists primarily of hydrated
aluminum silicates and is used for
pottery, ceramics, sculpture, and
bricks. It is plastic when moist but
hard when fired, so it is necessary Wily Layug, “Filipinized Marian”
Source: gmanetwork.com
to cast it in a durable mold before
cooking it in oven or kiln.

• Glass is a hard, brittle, transparent or translucent substance produced

from silica, silicates (sand), soda, and lime. It can be formed into
various colors and shapes under extreme heat.

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• Wood is the sculpture medium most comfortable to carve than any

other medium. Traditional woods used are dap-dap, lauan, mahogany,
narra, and dao.
Architecture

Architecture is the
art and technique of
designing and
building, as
distinguished from
the skills associated
with construction.
The practice of
architecture is
employed to fulfill
Francisco Mañosa, “San Miguel Corporation Building” both practical and
Source: www.mañosabrothers.com
expressive
requirements, and
thus it serves both utilitarian and aesthetic ends. Although these two ends may
be distinguished, they cannot be separated, and the relative weight given to
each can vary widely. Every society has a spatial relationship to the natural
world and to other societies.

Materials usually used for

architecture are stone, brick,
wood, concrete, iron and steel.
Notable methods applied are post
and lintel, arch, vault, dome, truss
framed structures and wall. The
ultimate synthesis on architecture
is venustas (beauty), utilitas
(functionality), and firmitas
(strength). The characteristics that
distinguish a work of architecture
from other built structures are (1)
the suitability of the work to be Frank Lloyd Wright, “Fallingwater”
used by human beings in general Source: www.austincubed.comce

and the adaptability of it to

particular human activities, (2) the stability and permanence of the work’s
construction, and (3) the communication of experience, aesthetics, and ideas
through its form. All these conditions must be met in architecture. The second

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is a constant, while the first and third vary in relative importance according to
the social function of buildings. If the function is chiefly utilitarian, as in a
factory, communication is of less importance. If the function is chiefly
expressive, as in a monumental tomb, utility is a minor concern. In some
buildings, such as churches and city halls, utility and communication may be
of equal importance. Among the notable architects are Frank Lloyd Wright,
Eero Saarinen, Zaha Hadid, Le Corbusier, Francisco Mañosa, Leandro Locsin
and Juan Nakpil.

Ceramic Art

Ceramics is made from

ceramic materials,
including clay. It may
take forms, including
art ware, tile, figurines,
sculptures, and
tableware. "Ceramics"
(derived from
keramos, Greek for
'potter's clay') refers to
Ancient Egyptian pottery items made from clay
Source: www.mediatouristtube.comce bodies and fired in a
kiln to obtain the
finished form. Outside of art, due to new technological processes, the term
ceramics now encompasses a wider group of materials, including glass and
cements, so clay is no longer a key component. In visual art, there is no
difference between ceramics and
pottery. Both denote the basic 4-
step creative process of:
(1) forming (shaping); (2) firing
(baking in kiln);
(3) glazing/decorating (coating
the object with a glaze or
applying to it decorative
techniques);
(4) Refiring (rebaking) to harden
the glaze. (Encyclopedia of Art) Iguig pottery
Source: www.eazytraveler.comce

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Animation

Animation is a technique in which

images are manipulated to appear as
moving forms. Hydrotechnics is a
method that includes lights, water,
fire, fog, and lasers, with high-
definition projections on mist screens.
(youtube.com) Animated films are
ones in which individual drawings,
paintings, or illustrations are
photographed frame by frame (stop-
frame cinematography). Usually, each

Lee Unkrich, Adrian Molina, “Coco”

Source: www.imdb.com

frame differs slightly from the one

preceding it, giving the illusion of
movement when frames are projected in
rapid succession at 24 frames per
second. The earliest cinema animation
was composed of frame-by-frame, hand-
drawn images. When combined with
movement, the illustrator's two-
dimensional static art becomes alive and
Reggie Entienza, “Urduja” creates pure and imaginative cinematic
Source: www.imdb.com
images (AMC Networks).

Movie Production or Film Making

Movie Production or Film Making is the process of making a film, generally

in the sense of films intended for extensive theatrical exhibition. Motion
picture, also called film or movie, are series of still photographs on film,
projected in rapid succession onto a screen by means of light. Because of the
optical phenomenon known as persistence of vision, this gives the illusion of
actual, smooth, and continuous movement. The motion picture is a remarkably
effective medium in conveying drama and especially in the evocation of
emotion. The art of motion pictures is exceedingly complex, requiring
contributions from nearly all the other arts as well as countless technical skills
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(for example, in sound recording, photography, and optics). Emerging at the

end of the 19th century, this new art form became one of the most popular and
influential media of the 20th century and beyond (Encyclopedia Britannica).
Filmmaking involves several discrete stages including an initial story
conceptualization, idea, or commission, through screenwriting, casting,
shooting, sound recording and reproduction, editing, and screening the
finished product before an audience that may result in a film release and
exhibition. (Filmmaker) Cinematography is the art of visual storytelling.
Anyone can set a camera on a tripod and hit record, but the artistry of
cinematography comes in controlling what the viewer sees (or doesn’t see)
and how the image is presented. Film is a visual medium, and the best-shot
films are ones where you can tell what’s going on without hearing any of the
dialogue. Some of the notable movies of all time rated according to their
success (awards and nominations), their popularity, and their cinematic
greatness from a directing and writing perspective are “The Godfather”, “The
Shawshank Redemption”, “The Schindler’s List”, “Raging Bull”,
“Casablanca”, “Citizen Kane”, “Himala”, “Anak Dalita”, “Genghis Khan”,
“Ibong Adarna”, “Babae sa Breakwater”, “Bayani ng Lupa” and “Bayaning
Third World”.
Jewelry

Jewelry is decorative objects

worn on clothes or body that are
usually made from valuable
metals, such as gold and silver,
and precious stones. Jewelry
are objects of personal
adornment prized for the
craftsmanship going into their
creation and generally for the
value of their components as
well. Throughout the centuries
and from culture to culture, the
materials considered rare and
beautiful have ranged from
shells, bones, pebbles, tusks,
claws, and wood to so-called Ganymede Jewelry
Source: www.metmuseum.org
precious metals, and
semiprecious stones, pearls,
corals, enamel, vitreous pastes, and ceramic. In certain eras artist-craftsmen
have sometimes placed less emphasis on the intrinsic value of materials than

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on their aesthetic function as

components contributing to the
effect of the whole. Thus they
might fashion a brooch out of steel
or plastic rather than gold or
platinum. Furthermore, in addition
to its decorative function, during
much of its history jewelry has also
been worn as a sign of social
rank—forbidden by sumptuary
laws to all but the ruling classes—
and as a to avert evil and bring
good luck. During the Middle
Ages, for example, a ruby ring was
thought to bring its owner lands
and titles, to bestow virtue, to
protect against seduction, and to
Ancient Filipino Jewelries
prevent effervescence in water—
Source: www.imageros.pw but only if worn on the left hand
(Encyclopedia Britannica).
Installation Art

Installation art is an artistic genre that

involves the configuration or
installation of objects in a space, such
as a room or warehouse. The resulting
arrangement of material and space
comprises the artwork. (Dela Cruz,
2016) The term installation art is
used to describe large-scale, mixed-
media constructions, often designed
for a specific place or for a
temporary period of time.
Installation artworks also described Ai Weiwei, “Ike Art #4”
Source: http://be-design.com.au
as “environments” often occupy an
entire room or gallery space that the
spectator has to walk through in order to engage fully with the work of art.
Some installations, however, are designed simply to be walked around and
contemplated, or are so fragile that they can only be viewed from a doorway,
or one end of a room. What makes installation art different from sculpture or
other traditional art forms is that it is a complete unified experience, rather

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than a display of separate,

individual artworks. The
focus on how the viewer
experiences the work and
the desire to provide an
intense experience for them
is a dominant theme in
installation art (tate.org.uk).
Famous installation artists
nowadays are Ai Weiwei,
Doris Salcedo, Kawayan de
Guia, Juan Alcazaren, Neil
Cagayan State University-Sanchez Mira Pasilan and Leeroy New.
Campus
Source: RL Studio

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Topic 2: Understanding the Subjects of Visual Arts and

their Elements and Principles

Time Allotment: 3 hours

Learning Objectives
At the end of this session, you will be able to:
a. explain the elements and principles of visual arts;
b. compare and contrast images and structures of visual artworks using the
elements and principles of visual arts;
c. analyze visual arts through identifying its theme, mood, tone and
composition; and
d. establish a mini gallery of local visual artists for the community

Presentation of Contents
Understanding Visual Art: Identifying Theme, Mood, Tone and
Composition

To really understand visual arts, one must move beyond stating the obvious
and add perceptive, personal insight. Viewer should demonstrate higher order
of thinking like analyzing, evaluating, and synthesizing information and ideas
from visual observation. In doing visual arts analysis, the four features (theme,
mood, tone, and composition), the elements, and the principles are to be
considered.

Theme relates to the meaning of a painting, rather than the subject, which is
specific and basic. A theme is deeper and broader and conveys something
more universal. Themes are usually implied rather than explicitly stated. To
examine the theme in visual arts is look at the ideas conveyed by the visual
experience as a whole. In analyzing the movie Star Wars, the subject is simply
“a battle for the control of the galaxy” while the theme is explored around
“conflict between technology and nature”.

Mood is the atmosphere in a painting, or the feeling expressed. Is the art

tranquil, or is it dark and disturbing? The mood is studied through evaluating

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the emotional reaction or response of the viewer or evaluating the overall

mood of the artwork. Some of these moods are energetic, excitement, serious,
sedate, positive, peaceful, calm, melancholic, tense, uneasy, uplifting,
foreboding, calm, turbulent, disturbing.

Tone refers to lightness or darkness of colors used, which can help create a
sense of depth or distance in art. The tonal values of an artwork can be attuned
to modify its expressive appeal. Tone can be used to create a contrast of light
and dark, to create the illusion of form, to create a dramatic or tranquil
atmosphere, to create a sense of depth and distance, and to create a rhythm or
pattern within a composition. These are to be considered in analyzing the tone
of visual arts.

Composition is the underlying structure of the art that refers to where the artist
placed the subject matter. It is considered as exactly the same as the layout of
a piece of artwork. It is not the actual subject of the art but where the subject
is placed. It is how the elements of visual arts are organized. Analyzing the
composition of visual arts means seeing if its off-centered, centered,
disoriented, done with the rue of thirds, etc.

Analysis of “The Dance of Life” by Edvard Munch

The Dance of Life by

Edvard Munch is a painting
of dancing couples. On the
left, a young woman in a
white floral dress stands
watching which symbolizes
innocence and youth. In the
background shows dancing
couples. The composition
centers on a man in black
and a woman in red. Red
implies love, passion and
pain. Her dress cloaks his Edvard Munch, “The Dance of Life”
Source: edvard-munch.org
feet and envelops him. He
has no choice but to follow.
Their faces are odd looking and seems like zombies. On the right, an old
woman in an unembellished black dress stands apart, thin face wrinkled, hands
clasped tight. The old woman signifies loneliness and sorrow. The moon in
the sky reflects on the water, but the deep colors and uncomfortable movement
among the figures render the dance less than festive. The characters are

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surrounded by outlines that emphasize their rounded shapes rather than the
individuals. So the mood is uneasy, the tone is dark, and the theme conveys
various stages of a woman’s life and the passage of time and death, rather than
family love and closeness.

The proper use of the rules of art is essential to the success of any visual
artwork. The “Principles of Art” is the first set of rules or guidelines that make
deciding the impact of a work of art easier. The second set of rules is the
“Elements of Art”.

Principles of Visual Arts is the means an artist uses to organize elements

within a work of art.
1. Harmony is a way of combining similar elements in artwork to
accent their similarities (achieved through the use of repetition and subtle,
gradual changes)
2. Rhythm is a principle of design that indicates movement, created
by the careful placement of repeated elements in a work of art to cause a visual
tempo or beat.
3. Balance is a way of blending elements to add a feeling of
equilibrium or stability to a work of art. Major types are symmetrical and
asymmetrical. (Art Quizlet)
4. Proportion is a principle of design that refers to the relationship of
individual elements to the whole and each other.
5. Emphasis s a way of mixing elements to stress the differences
between those elements. (Art Quizlet)
6. Variety is a principle of design concerned with diversity or contrast.
It is achieved by using different shapes, sizes, or colors in a work of art.
7. Movement is a principle of design applied to create the look and
feel of action and to guide the viewer’s eye throughout the work of art.

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Analysis of the Artwork “Starry Night” by Vincent van Gogh

It is best to explain The Principles of Art using “The Starry Night”, by Vincent
van Gogh.
Harmony is
achieved in an
artwork by using
similar elements
throughout the
composition to
make sure it does
not look too
intricate. The
regularity of the
lines throughout
Vincent van Gogh, “Starry Night” the painting gives
Source: Kentucky Art Speaks it a feeling of
harmony.
Rhythm is a type of movement in drawing and painting. In the painting, it is
seen in the repetition of shapes and colors. Interchanging lights and shades
also give a sense of rhythm. The lines and color pattern seen throughout the
work are a great illustration of rhythm.

Balance is a sense of stability in the artwork. Balance can be achieved by

creating a feeling of equal weight. In the painting, the large dark tree helps to
balance the bright moon in the opposite corner.
Proportion refers to the relationship of the size of objects in an artwork. The
painting has a perfect proportion, nothing looks out of place.

Emphasis in an artwork refers to the focus of interest that pull the spectator’s
eye to significant parts of the work. The emphasis in the painting is the bright
yellow moon.
Variety refers to the differences in the work. Variety is achieved by using
different shapes, textures, colors and values in an artwork. You can find
variety in the bright and dark colors as well as the cool and warm colors and
in the swirls and curves of the hills next to the sharpness in shape of the houses.

Movement adds interest to an artwork by showing action and directing the

viewer’s eye throughout the picture plane. In the painting, the dark tree moves

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your eye up, the twirls and spins carry your eye to the moon, and the color in
the moon leads your eye to the light yellow streak beneath it, which in turn
leads your eye back to the dark tree.

Elements and Principles of Visual Arts

Elements of Visual Arts are the visual components of color, form, line, shape,
space, texture, and value.
1. Line is an element of art illustrated by a point moving in space. It
may be two- or three-dimensional, descriptive, implied, or abstract. Lines may
be straight, curved, angular, flowing, horizontal, vertical, diagonal, contour,
thick, thin, implied, etc. (ualr.edu).
2. Shape is an element of art that is two-dimensional, flat, or restrained
to height and width. Shape can be geometrical or organic (Art Quizlet).
3. Form is an element of art that is three-dimensional and encloses
volume; includes height, width, and depth (as in a cube, a sphere, a pyramid,
or a cylinder). Form may also be free flowing (Art Quizlet).
4. Space is an element of art by which positive and negative areas are
defined or a sense of depth achieved in a work of art.
5. Color is an element of art composed of three characteristics: hue,
value, and intensity. It can be primary, secondary, mixed, complimentary,
monochromatic, decorative, warm, cool, dark, etc.
i. Hue is the name of color.
ii. Value is hue’s lightness and darkness (a color’s value changes
when adding white or black to it).
iii. Intensity is the degree of brightness and purity (high-intensity -
the color is sharp and bright; low-intensity - the color is faint and dull)
(Rollins, 2015).
6. Texture is an element of art that indicates to the way things feel or
look as if they might feel if touched. Texture can be rough, smooth, real,
implied, repeating, etc. (3 Doodler Edu).

Analysis of the Artwork “The School of Athens” by Raphael Sanzio

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“The School of Athens” by

Rapahel Sanzio is a classic
example which manifestly
embodies line, shape, color, form,
space (its representation) and
texture in a single painting.

Content The painting’s subject is

not a school but an assembly of
significant Greek philosophers.

Medium The artwork was

painted in fresco which means it Raphael Sanzio, “The School of Athens”
Source: widewalls
was done on wet plaster.

Composition The painting is done in a pyramidal arrangement which is a

prominent characteristic of Raphael and the High Renaissance.

Lines and Forms: Raphael gives his figures mass, bulk and weight by using
perspective, drapery, and chiaroscuro. The way the clothing of the figures falls
on their bodies gives them a sense of underlying body structure. All the lines
converge between Plato and Aristotle's heads which gives it the pyramidal
composition. There is also an interest in accurate body proportion. The painter
showed a lot of depth created by the walls and archways of the building. He
used linear perspective to make the architecture really pop out and look three-
dimensional

Shape: The warm light is focused more on the people in the back, and shadow is
slightly casted upon the figures towards the front. Raphael used chiaroscuro
(Chiaroscuro refers to the use of light and dark to create the illusion of three-
dimensional volume on a flat surface) to show underlying body structure in each
of the figures and to create depth and shape.

Space: Although the painting seems crowded in some parts (especially around
Plato and Aristotle) Raphael creates a great sense of space. He used linear
perspective and has a vanishing point so the painting looks like it goes back in
space. He also paints the figures in the foreground larger than the rest which
adds to the sense of space.

Color Raphael uses mostly natural colors with lots of browns and greys. He
uses mostly warm earthly tones with some subtle blue and green cool accents.

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Raphael did not use bright colors because he intended the mood to be more
solemn. Value is used well to create depth and shading.

Texture: Raphael used texture and repetition together while designing the
floor and ceiling patterns. The textures of the painting are mostly solid and
flat, created by the floor and walls. It creates the feeling that if someone
touches the walls and floors, it would be smooth.

Summary of the Unit

Visual arts are those art forms appreciated or perceived primarily by
sight, which occupy space that is either two-dimensional or three-dimensional.
The categories of visual arts are fine arts, decorative arts, and contemporary
arts. Fine Arts are developed primarily for aesthetics and judged for its beauty
and meaningfulness. Examples of fine arts are painting, sculpture, drawing,
watercolor, graphics, and architecture. Decorative Arts are made for
function but retain an artistic style and still require talent to create. These
include tapestry, ceramics, mosaic art, glass art, jewelry, woodwork,
interior design, textile arts, and crafts. Contemporary Arts, is a form of art
conceived in modern times, include photography, art print, video art,
animation, graffiti, and installation art.
Mediums of visual arts denote the ways by which an artist
communicates his idea. These are the materials which are used by an artist to
interpret his feelings or thoughts.
One way of doing analysis of visual arts is using theme, mood, tone,
and composition. To further understand visual arts, the elements and
principles of visual arts are used. The principles of visual arts are harmony,
rhythm, balance, proportion, emphasis, variety, and movement. The
elements of visual arts are line, shape, form, space, color, and texture.

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Murphy, Arthur and Sklar, Robert. (2019). Motion Picture. Encyclopedia

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Rollins, Jessica. (2015.) A Recipe for Art. Phoenix High School Art
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