Fresco

Fresco is defined as “painting on a plaster, either dry, or wet. In the former, the paint is an independent layer, separate from the plaster proper; in the latter, the paint is chemically bound to the plaster, and is integral to the wall or support.”  The medium of fresco is a pigment mixed with limewater which is a solution containing calcium hydroxide, or slaked lime. To show an example of fresco I chose a painting by artist Diego Rivera. The painting is called “Still Life” and was created in 1918. I chose this painting because I liked the shading and colors. I also noticed that this is one of the few paintings done by Rivera that does not contain people. I noticed that was a common theme among his work. I read that Diego Rivera‘s work is inspired by The Mexican Revolution, and The Russian Revolution. Diego dedicates a lot of his paintings to express the working class and native peoples of Mexico. I noticed that theme in sevral of his pieced.

http://www.biography.com/people/diego-rivera-9459446

Watercolor

Watercolor is defined as “A painting medium consisting of pigments suspended in a solution of water and gum arabic.” Water color is known as one of the most expressive painting Medias. The medium of Watercolor are wet paper, gum arabic, and a solution of water. To show an example of watercolor I chose a painting by artist Charles Burchfield. The painting is called “Song in the Rain”. What I enjoy about all of Charles Burchfield’s pieces is the colors uses and the realistic value. I also noticed that a majority of Burchfield’s pieces are of nature. My research found that Charles had a passion for nature and always had a desire to paint the ocean. Charles is famous for his paintings of nature.
http://www.hollistaggart.com/artists/biography/charles_burchfield/

Collage

Collage is an artistic style in which “a work is made by pasting various scraps or pieces of material- cloth, paper, photographs- onto the surface of the composition.  To show an example of collage I chose to do a piece by artist Jess Collins. The collage is called “The Fifth Never of Old Near”. The medium of collage can change depending on what the artist chooses to use. The medium can be paint, cloth, paste, glue, or fabric. My favorite thing about the collage style is that there are no limits or rules. Artists can use print, photographs, or paint. The picture I choose shows what appear to be gods and goddesses. I am assuming that Jess Collins has some sort of religious background that inspired her work.

Oil Paint

Oil paint is a medium using linseed oil as a binder that became practically popular in the fifteenth century.  Oil paint gave artist the ability to do new colors and made paintings seem more realistic. The medium of oil painting is linseed oil, which makes the paint slow to dry. I chose to do famous artist Vincent Van Gough. The painting is called “Bedroom” The qualities that make this artwork unique are the colors and the life like qualities.  Vincent Van Gough typically uses oil paint in all the work that I viewed. Due to the popularity of oil paint, I find is fascinating that Van Gough perfected it and became a famous artist.  What fascinates me about Van Gough was the fact that he was not famous during his life time; Van Gough was only famous after he died. I learned that his mother even threw away many of his paintings.  Van Gough also suffered from many mental breakdowns; one of his outrages was so intense that he cut off his left ear.

http://www.vincentvangoghart.net/

Etching

Etching is a printmaking process in which a metal plate is coated with wax is drawn upon with a sharp tool down to the plate and then placed in an acid bath. The acid eats into the plate where the lines have been drawn, the wax is removed and then the plate is inked and printed. The medium in etching is wax, and acid. I choose to do a piece by artist Rembrandt van Rijn. The piece is called Women bathing her feet at a brook" Rembrandt van Rijn has always had a passion for art, he dropped out of his Latin program to peruse his career. I noticed a lot of people in Rembrandt van Rijn’s work look lonely or sad. I found out that Rembrandt van Rijn had a rough family life. Rembrandt van Rijn’s wife had four children, however only one survived. I feel that learning about his life’s struggles help me relate to the artist more.

http://www.rembrandtpainting.net/rembrandt_life_and_work.htm

Woodcut

Woodcut is process in which a wooden block is carved so that those parts not intended to print are cut away, leaving the design raised. The medium of woodcut is wood to create a print. I choose a woodcut work by artist Emil Nolde. The woodcut print is called "servant."Woodcut is supposed to be a relief process, therefore I see much pain and grief in the work of Emil Nolde. I feel that his work is created to relive stress. I found that Nolde was rejected from Munich Academy of Fine Arts. I feel his rejection has inspired his work.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emil_Nolde