Introduction to
Art Studies
Module 1
OBJECTIVES:
At the end of lesson, the learners are able to;
• Define of art and its implication to life
• Describe the nature and overview of the course
• Appreciate the importance of arts in our daily lives
It aims to provide students with
an appreciation of a
broad range of styles in the
various disciplines with
consideration on their elements
and principles, and engage
them to an integrative approach
in studying arts.
Through this subject,
students will broaden
and acquire the
necessary creative
tools that open
opportunities in pursuing
their individual career
goals and aspirations.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
CONTEMPORARY ART
• The art of today
• Produced by artists who are living
in the 21st century.
• Their art is a dynamic combination
of materials, methods, concepts,
and subjects
• Challenge traditional boundaries
Paintings exhibited for the Karen H. Montinola Selection at
Art Fair Philippines 2024. |NCR Region
CONTEMPORARY ART
Leeroy New Isabel Santos
"Aliens of Manila: New York Colony" (2019) "Are the People Rejoicing?" (2022)
MODERN ART
Emphasizes innovation and
experimentation with new
forms, techniques, and
materials. It relates to the
present or recent times as
opposed to the remote past
References:
What Can We Learn From Art About Love - Google Arts &
Culture. (n.d.). Retrieved May 07, 2020, from
https://artsandculture.google.com/story/WwUxou4YTl ZJCw
Aron. (2011, August 11). Difference Between Art and Arts.
Retrieved May 07, 2020, from
https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-
between-art-and-vs-arts/
Elements of Art
Module 1.1
OBJECTIVES:
At the end of lesson, the learners are able to;
• Explain of Elements and Principles of Arts
• Explore artworks based on the elements and
principles used
• Apply the elements of arts used in creating
artworks
THE ELEMENTS OF ART
The building blocks or
ingredients of art.
LINE
A mark with length and direction.
A continuous mark made on a
surface by a moving point.
Ang Kiukok | Parks and Wildlife, 1992
Line can be
DESCRIPITIVE or IMPLIED….
Horizontal lines are generally restful, like the
horizon, where the sky meets the land.
Vertical lines as depicted in art forms are lines
that show reach or peak as well as height.
Diagonal lines present in
art tend convey a feeling of
movement.
Objects that are in diagonal
position are unstable.
In logic, since diagonal
lines are either not
horizontal or vertical, it
sets an idea that an
object is either already
in motion or about to
fall.
Expressive Lines
tend to be found
in nature and are
very organic
Other lines that are very
measured, geometric,
directional and angular are
called Constructive lines.
They tend to appear to be
man-made because of
their precision.
COLOR
Consists of Hue (another word for
color), Intensity (brightness) and Value
(lightness or darkness).
Artists use different systems of color depending on the effect they
are trying to achieve…
COLOR VOCABULARY
• Primary
• Secondary
• Tertiary
• Analogous
• Complimentary
• Neutral
• Warm/Cool
These colors are primary for 2 reasons:
• They can’t be mixed to be made
• They make all the other colors on the
color wheel
• Color can add interest and reality to artwork.
The use of a 12-step color wheel will help us
understand color more effectively. When light
is reflected through a prism, colors can be
seen.
• These colors are: Red, Yellow, Orange,
Green, Indigo, Blue and Violet
(Remember the anagram: ROY G BIV)
VALUE
The lightness or darkness of a color.
Value in visual arts pertains to the
lightness and darkness of tones or colors.
White being the lightest value;
Black being the darkest.
MC Escher
Techniques to achieve Value:
• Cross-hatching is when you use irregular lengths of
parallel lines that cross over each other diagonally. The
closer together the lines are placed, the darker the value.
• Stippling is the use of dots to create shade. This is
accomplished by placing dots very close together to create
dark values and farther apart to create lighter values.
• Soft shading is when you use your pencil to create soft
gradual movements from one value to the next using full
value range.
SHAPE
An enclosed area
defined and determined
by other art elements;
2-dimensional.
Usually shapes from nature are said to be ORGANIC
and man-made shapes are more GEOMETRIC
FORM
• Form is the element of art that is
three-dimensional and has
volume (length, width, and
height). A form can be geometric
or organic.
SPACE
The distance or area between, around, above, below, or within things.
Fernando Amorsolo Robert Mapplethorpe
Space can be shallow or deep depending on what
the artist wants to use. Shallow space is used when
the artist has objects very close to the viewer.
Deep Space may show
objects up close but objects
are shown far away too.
Positive space is the
actual object(s) within
the artwork
Negative Space is the
area in and around the
objects. It is the
“background” and it
contributes to the work of
art---you can’t have
positive space without
negative space
Perspective is also a way of showing space in a work of art.
Perspective is when the artist uses a vanishing point on the horizon
and then creates a sense of deep space by showing objects getting
progressively smaller as they get closer to the vanishing point.
Objects may overlap as well. When objects are overlapped it is
obvious that enough space had to be in the picture to contain
all the objects that have been included
TEXTURE
The surface quality or "feel" of an object, its smoothness, roughness,
softness, etc. Textures may be actual or implied.
Principles of Art
Module 1.2
THE PRINCIPLES OF ART
The principles of art are the way that the
visual elements of art are explained. This is
what we use to organize the Elements of Art
BALANCE
The way the
elements are
arranged to create a
feeling of stability in
a work.
Symmetrical Balance
The parts of an image are
organized so that one side
mirrors the other.
Wesley Valenzuela, The Origin of Symmetry Exhibition, 2011
Asymmetrical Balance
When one side of a
composition does not reflect
the design of the other and yet
still has equal weight.
EMPHASIS
The focal point of an
image, or when one
area or thing stands
out the most.
Antipas Delotavo, "Lead White"
CONTRAST
A large difference between two
things to create interest and
tension.
CONTRAST creates EMPHASIS
REPETITION
• Implies the use of two or more of the same
or similar elements such as colors, shapes,
or lines.
• A regular repetition of elements to produce
the look and feel of movement or to MOVE
the viewers eye around the artwork.
When there is a sense of
movement in an artwork, created by
a repetition of elements rhythm is
created – almost like we can hear a
repetitive beat of music when we
look at a painting…
UNITY/ HARMONY
When all the elements
and principles work
together to create a
pleasing image.
Fernando Amorsolo | Fisherman at Sunset,1955
A sense of unity can occur
even in artworks that use
more VARIETY. The use of
differences increases the
visual interest of the work
and can actually add to the
harmony
Fernando Amorsolo | Planting Rice, 1949
PROPORTIO N
The comparative
relationship of one part
to another with respect
to size, quantity, or
degree; SCALE.
Playing with SCALE…
Artists sometimes
deliberately use
unnatural proportions or
scale to create a mood,
message or special
effect.
Painters and sculptors are not the only artists who use the elements and
principles of design. Graphic artists use these “rules” of art to draw our
attention to what they want to sell…
Primitive cultures who were never taught how to “make” art still
show evidence of the elements and principles of design. They
are universal….
References:
Retrieved May 07, 2020, from
https://morrisschooldistrict.instructure.com/courses/2
315/pages/art-element-slash-art-principles-ppt
Aron. (2011, August 11). Difference Between Art and
Arts. Retrieved May 07, 2020, from
https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-
between-art-and-vs-arts/
Forms, Content, and Context
Module 1.3
OBJECTIVES:
At the end of lesson, the learners are able to;
• Explanation of forms, content and context of Arts
• Exploration ofartworks based on the forms,
content and context.
• Application of the lesson through creating artworks
A FORMAL ANALYSIS of a
work of art describes how
the elements and principles
of art works together
independent of their meaning
and the feelings or thoughts
they may evoke in the
viewer.
There are other art fundamentals other than the
elements and principles that every artist should
understand and implement. These are the following:
• Forms
• Content
• Context
FORM
• It is used to describe the physical
nature of the artwork.
• Is the surface feature of an artwork. It
does not have anything to do with
the art’s in-depth meaning.
Example:
• Visual arts- 2D or 3D
• Music- opera, serenade, pop
• Literature- prose, drama, poetry
• Theatre- tragedy, comedy, drama
CONTENT
• It is what the artwork is
about. It contains the subject
matter that carriers the
message of the work.
• If form is the embodiment of
the work, content is its
substance.
CONTEXT
• consists of all of the things about the
artwork that might have influenced
the artwork or the maker (artist) but
which are not actually part of the
artwork.
• Contextual Information can deepen
and/or improve our understanding
of an artwork
• Historical Context
• Artist Context
• Viewing Context
Context
HISTORICAL CONTEXT ARTIST CONTEXT VIEWING CONTEXT
Time is the most basic and first The context for the artist or creator Has to do with the viewing experience,
context we consider. When we includes: Their culture, their worldview. the context of display or where we
say, “When in time?” the question Their place; geography. Their religion, encounter an image or artwork is crucial
is also related to where in time. beliefs, and other aspects unique to to the meanings it accrues
their identity.
Louis Wain
(5 August 1860 – 4 July 1939)
Art Criticism
An organized approach to
evaluating artwork.
Composition
• The way visual elements
are positioned in a work of
art.
• Composition is highly
dependent on the use of
the principles of art.
Contrast
refers to difference between
elements or subjects within a
work of art. Contrast can be
created through variety within
the elements of art. (i.e.
value, color, texture).
Contrast can used to create a
focal point or area of interest
Antipas Delotavo, "Lead White"
in an artwork.
Dominance
refers to one area of a work of art that
is visually heavier demanding more
attention. Dominance is closely related
to emphasis.
Brenda Fajardo, Masaya sa pagiging siya, 2005
Aesthetics
refers to the artwork's
visual attraction or
beauty.
Martino Abellana , Bangka, 1979
Symbolism
visual objects or arrangements to
represent an alternate meaning.
Ronald Ventura’s Party Animal, 2017
References:
What Can We Learn From Art About Love - Google Arts &
Culture. (n.d.). Retrieved May 07, 2020, from
https://artsandculture.google.com/story/WwUxou4YTl ZJCw
Learning, S. (n.d.). Art Appreciation. Retrieved May 07, 2020, from
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/masteryart1/chapter/read ing-
context-is-part-of-when-and-where/
History of Modern and Contemporary
Art in the Philippines
Module 1.4
OBJECTIVES:
At the end of lesson, the learners are able to;
• Summarize the modern and contemporary arts in the
Philippine history.
• Discuss the different modern and contemporary arts
influences in the Philippines
• Compare Modern art to contemporary art in the Philippines
• Enumerate the common medium of arts used in the
Philippines
Contemporary art started in
the 1950s, after World War II.
Artists started to experiment on
different techniques and different
ways of expressing their
emotions, views, ideas, and
other things that they wanted to
express through art.
Jigger Cruz
"Self Portrait" (2017)
The styles and ways of
contemporary artists
veered away from that
of traditional art.
Contemporary art can
now be found
wherever artists can
put their work.
Greenpeace Philippines Dead Whale Installation Art in Naic, Cavite
Many contemporary artists are
self-taught and did not have
formal education.
Some contemporary artists also
employ the help of fabricators,
carpenters, electricians or
welders to make their works.
Essential in contemporary art is the process of art-
making. Money is not the reason, but it should be the
message in the art work.
Artists are finding
different ways to get their
message across, trying
other styles and sometimes
even trying different art
forms.
Philippines’ history has
deeply influenced its cultural
identity. Their influences
continue up to this day to be
acted on, resisted and
absorbed into the Filipino
identity.
John Paul Antido, Abducted
The contemporary Philippine art scene is complex, because
the Philippine art operates within a culture that is dynamic,
hybridized and thus resistant to being put in a single
category.
Subject Matter and Styles
in Contemporary Art
Subject matter is what you see that is depicted
in the artwork.
The subject matter in
contemporary art is not
confined to human
figures, landscapes, or
natural objects like in
traditional art.
Rodel Tapaya | Instant Gratification (2018)
Nunelucio Alvarado’s Artwork
Style dictates every artist’s
art-making process. It may
be human figures, a
combination of texture and
color, or a figure made of
found objects put together
into a coherent whole.
An artist’s growth in his/her way of working can be
referred to as “the evolution of style”. Style can
also be a certain technical approach to art- making.
Fernando Amorsolo’s Paintings
Several art movements and styles that dominated
since the 1950s in contemporary art
• Abstract Expressionism • Feminist Art • Body Art
• Minimalism • Digital Art
• Optical Art
• Video Art • Interactive Art
• Performance Art • Graffiti
• Environmental Art
ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONISM
This is a painting style where the
artist applies paint in a manner
that expresses emotions and
feelings in a spontaneous way.
OPTICAL ART
This style uses lines or
images repeatedly to create
an optical illusion
PERFORMANCE ART
This combines a variety of media
and the human body to execute an
artistic theatrical expression
before a live audience. This is
different from theater as this does
not follow a plot, and instead a
main concept or theme, and is
mostly spontaneous.
Environmental Art
This involves the artistic creation
or manipulation of space such as
landscape or architectural design
that may enclose its audience.
Earthworks, or works using
natural objects like stones, leaves,
trees, grass are included in this
category.
Feminist Art
This emerged from female
artists expressing their
concerns through art. They
tackle issues of identity,
sexuality, gender roles,
equality, and the ways which
the female is treated in
society, among others.
Minimalism
This style has a stripped-down,
pre-fabricated look, free of
details and often with flat
surface, but expresses a specific
content or statement.
Video Art
This consists of images that
are recorded through a
video and viewed through
television, computer or
projection screen.
Graffiti
This is a drawing, inscription
or sketch done hastily on a
wall or other surface made
to be seen by the public.
Body Art
This is an art form that uses the
body as the medium or main
material. The body can be
painted or clothed and used to
perform an artistic act in public.
Tattooing and piercing are also
considered body art.
Digital art
This is done with the aid of
computer and computer programs
to create an image or design. The
image can be printed on paper,
tarpaulin or other mediums.
Interactive art
An art form that involves the
engagement of the viewer in a
way that traditional forms of art
typically do not. It is a form of
art that encourages community
participation in some way,
shape, or form.
2020 Art Fair Philippines
References:
Author:, A. (n.d.). Philippine Contemporary Art as a
Post-War Phenomenon. Retrieved May 08, 2020, from
https://ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca-
3/subcommissions/subcommission-on-the-arts-
sca/visual-arts/philippine-contemporary-art-as-a-post-
war-phenomenon/
Modules. (n.d.). Retrieved May 08, 2020, from
https://modules.arvicbabol.com/
Medium and Art Techniques in
Contemporary Arts
Module 1.5
OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this lesson, the students are expected to:
• Determine the importance of medium and art techniques
• Enumerate the common medium of arts used in the Philippines
• Compare the mediums and techniques in contemporary art in
the Philippines
• Create an artwork using any medium and technique
MEDIUM
A medium in art
world is the term
for the material used
to create artwork.
The plural of
medium is
"media"
One piece of art can be
made of one medium
or several media
Example: Mixed Media
Different materials
carry different
significance.
Example: Using wood,
wood is sacred, therefore
the artwork is special
Ina ng Lahi (Mother of Filipinos)
by Jose P. Alcantara (Narra wood)
• Untitled Painting by Romulo
Galicano (Oil on wood) also
known as the Palette of Masters
If an artist uses
uncommon materials,
it helps the artist to
makes a statement
Stephanie Foote, “The Art of Waste: Garbage, Cardboard sculpture by Joël Abouzit
Narrative, and the Environmental Humanities”
National Humanities Center
Painting Painting
• Watercolor
• Acrylic
• Oil
• Tempera paint
WATERCOLOR
• water-based solution
• transparency and
luminosity
• Fast-drying Medium
ACRYLIC
Acrylic paint is much
newer than the paint types
listed above. It only gained
popularity in the 20th
century. It is considered
more versatile than either oil
or watercolor paint, giving
artists increased flexibility.
“Sugarcane” by Jun Martinez (2007). Acrylic on canvas.
TEMPERA
Tempera is a type of paint
made from egg yolk. It has a
reputation for being easy to use, and
it has existed since ancient Greek
times. The Italian Renaissance was
also a fruitful time for tempera
paintings.
“Tinapa Vendors” by Anita Magsaysay-Ho (1955).
Tempera on canvas.
OIL PAINTING
Is the process of painting
with pigments that re held
together with a type of oil
that dries when exposed to
air called drying oil
“The Death of Cleopatra” by Juan Luna. Oil on canvas
“Spoliarium” by Juan Luna. Oil on canvas.
Drawing
• Pencil
• Colored pencil
• Ink
• Markers
• Pastels
• Chalk
Photography
• Film
• Digital
Mixed Media
• Collage
• Assemblage
• Other media
mixed together
The Philippine Mixed media
Peso Bill by CARLO GERNALE
Printmaking
• Linocut
• Woodcut
• Etching
• Monoprint
Manuel Rodriguez Sr. printmaking Artwork
Sculpture
• 3-dimensional
• Clay, stone, metal, etc.
• Or something simple
Sculpture of mother and child by Michael Cacnio sculpture
Contreras made from discarded
century-old molave hardwood,
Artistic Skills and Techniques to
Contemporary Art Creations
Digital Art Land Art
Karl Adrian So’s “Dyipne” Cordillera Labyrinth by Roberto Villanueva
Decollage Installation Art
“Dead Whale” by Greenpeace Philippines.
Conceptual Art
Roberto “Bobby” Chabet Conceptual Artwork
References:
(n.d.). Retrieved May 08, 2020, from
https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-a-medium-
in-art-definition-terms-quiz.html
Westerville Library Follow. (2014, June 16). Types of Art
Media. Retrieved May 08, 2020, from
https://www.slideshare.net/westervillelibrary/types-of-
art-media
