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.

So what makes it a good painting?

Really? What determines that a painting is any good? Does the gallery? Who?

Fortunetly, you don't have to go to art school to answer this question. And the simplest answer is one that only you can answer, Do YOU like it? And here is what I hear most frequently from clients, what attracts them to particular artwork and particular artists.

So let's rephrase the question because what we really want to know is, "Is it the perfect painting for me?"

First, let's consider the scale. Interesting, huh? What is usually the first piece of criteria is, will the scale of the work suit the scale of the room? If the answere here is yes, then the artwork can be considered. No matter how good the painting is, if it is too big or small for the space then it just won't work. Usually artists work in a particular range of sizes so if you like one piece by an artist, you can find many others of similar scale and dimension. The two work together, the scale of the room and the scale of the artwork. When the two are harmonious the results are breathtaking.

Another is palette. Notice how I choose this word over color. "Color" implies matching and decorating, "palette" implies temperature, wholeness or completeness. A palette can be limited, meaning fewer colors used in the painting. When the artist does this, the result is usually a richer, more subtle work with highlighted spots of color. Or the palette can be varied, meaning a wider variety of colors often used at the same intensity. These paintings tend to be more active. So the term "palette" is better suited when describing the colors of a painting.

So the palette is something that is completely personal. Do you respond to rich, harmonious tones? Sublties that hint to depthes deep into the personal life of the painting? Temperature is important here, so consider the relative warmth of the work. Maybe you prefer a wider spectrum of hues. Does your eye always go to the pieces that are color-specific? Maybe you prefer lots of local color, whether it is a poppy field or an Venetian alley.

First things first!

So here you are, in your home and you look around and you decide that it is time. Time to start that collection. You have come to the right place! I am here to help!

My first suggestion is to think big. Don't be shy, fill up your wall space. One mistake that I see clients make is to float a tiny painting on a spacious wall. Large paintings give the room a presence and personality. Paintings have a voice and share your life with you. A quality, well-hung, suitable painting will invite you into the room without being overbearing. It is a guest in the house that adds to the conversation always saying just the right thing. And many times the frame can easily add another ten inches to the overall dimension. Paintings are fine hung about four inches above the sofa or chair rail and then up to the ceiling. Remember, you always want to weight the painting low, you should have larger margin of wall above the painting. Nothing makes an art dealer's heart flutter like large, expansive wall. I see the possibilities!

Second, rethink anything covered in glass; glass is bulky, heavy, glaring. It shows the dust. The glass creates a barrier between the art and the viewer. Nothing speaks elegance and class like an exposed oil painting. The painting has a richness and texture that is unique. Anything under glass is going to have a uniform and fragile surface. It lacks the weight of a real painting, a genuine piece of artwork.

And if I could suggest one final thought as you start your search, remember to have fun! Finding the right artwork for your home is a joy, enjoy the anticipation of that "aha" moment. This isn't a job, ignore the decorator (more about that later) and just look and look and look at paintings. Listen to them, the good ones sing. Watch them, the good ones move. Go to museums and look at the best paintings to get a sense for quality work. Be open, be prepared to be surprised at what speaks to you.

I hope this helps you on your search!