Tuesday, December 15, 2009

So what makes it a good painting? Part Two

So we have covered the first two considerations of what makes a painting good, or what makes a painting right for you.

Another top attraction is subject matter. What is the painting about? What objects, places, or people are in the painting? Again, this is such subjective criteria, no art critic can judge the quality of a painting strictly on subject matter. You will find that artists tend to choose one theme and work with it throughout their careers. You will also find that the better artists, the more educated and talented ones, the ones who balance craft with vision, will excel in several disciplines. The best painters are arguably the most well-rounded. Painters who primarily paint landscape will still go to the figure, any painter worth her salt will continue a lifetime of plein air painting. It just keeps observational and draftsmanship skills strong.

Enough about the artist, I am here for you, the collector. What does all that mean to you? It means look carefully at what is portrayed in the painting. For example, always look for an entrance into a landscape. How does the artist carry you into her world? Allow your eye to travel further up and further in. This is the very beginning of quality painting. Maybe the painting has people in it. How are they interacting? A figurative painting is about drama. What is the story, what is the relationship? Why is that relationship either compelling or relatable? I am going to lump florals and still life into one "branch" of painting. Consider here the craft, so much beauty can be found in a well-drawn musical instrument.

I am tell you this because subject matter is the melody of the painting, it is the part of the artwork that is the loudest, the most apparent, easiest to recognise. So naturally it seduces the viewer.

So my second comment is a warning, be wary of seductive painting! As attractive and compelling the subject matter may be remember to consider other components to the work. Choosing artwork based solely on subject matter (Wow--we vacationed RIGHT HERE) creates a collection that is kitchy.

Subject matter is the most relate able, tangible element of the painting. It is the one part that is instantly recognizable. Yes it is important, but take a second look when your "aha" moment lies completely in the "picture" part of the painting.

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