Art as Visual

Communication

BASDRAF
Basic Drawing and Drafting

Contents
I. Introduction
- Forms of Art
- Purposes of Art
II. Art as Visual Communication
- Historical Context
- The Psychology of Drawing
- The Artist and His Tools

Objectives
: Understand the concepts in Art and its
background
: Observe the works of classical artists
: Understand different purposes of art
: Become familiar with some of the tools
of an artist

Development of
Pop Art

Whaam! by American graphic

artist Roy Lichtenstein (1963)

INTRODUCTION

FORMS OF ART

Dance and Music as

an Art Form

Tchaikovskys The Nutcracker performed

by the San Diego Ballet of California

Music as an Art
Form

1950s Advertising Techniques

Fine Arts and the

Decorative Arts

Wedgwood vase by
John Flaxman for Josiah
Wedgwood (1780)

Art and Science

Architecture as a
Form of Art

Saint Pauls Cathedral, redesigned by architect

Christopher Wren in the Baroque style

Fine Arts and the

Decorative Arts

Ivory Throne of
Bishop Maximian
(mid-6th century),
Byzantine art

Validity of a
Scientific Law

Campbells
Soup Can (1962)
by American Pop
artist Andy
Warhol
Billboards in India

Validity of a
Scientific Law

Early catalog
advertising from
Sears, Roebuck
and Co.

Physical Resources

Societal Influences
in Art

Senufo Art of
West Africa
showing
animal figures

Medium

Piet, by
Michelangelo,
carved out of
marble in 1497 to
1500
Diamond Sutra (Jingangjing), 868 AD, the
earliest known printed book

The Subject of Art

Social Class

Mona Lisa, by
Leonardo da Vinci,
1503-1506, oil on
wood

Waiting for Godot, a play by Samuel Beckett

The Purpose of Art

The Search for Truth and Other
Philosophical Explorations

THE PURPOSE OF ART

The Purpose of Art

Expression of the Artists
Innermost Feelings

Aristotle reasoned
that happiness over
a lifetime may be
obtained only by
living in accordance
with their true nature;
humans have an
ethical obligation to
live by reason.

The Purpose of Art

To Make a Living

Dutch-born painter
Willem de Kooning,
a leader of Abstract
Expressionism

The Purpose of Art

A Sacred, Almost Magical Activity

Ecstasy of Saint
Theresa (1645-1652) by
the 17th century Italian
artist Gianlorenzo
Bernini is considered to
be one of the finest
existing examples of
Baroque sculpture

The Purpose of Art

Gives Status to Rulers or Aristocrats

The elaborate
Florentine ebony
cabinet was designed
in 1708 by Giovanni
Battista Foggini for the
Elector Palatine

The Purpose of Art

The Purpose of Art

Explore Ideas and Techniques

Two Open Modular
Cubes / Half-Off,
1972, was created
by American artist
Sol Lewitt, who
termed his art
conceptual

Imitate Life
Young Shopper, by
Duane Hanson, lifesize figure of a
working-class
American outfitted with
actual, mismatched
clothing and other
gear, easily confused
with human onlookers

The Purpose of Art

To Show Us Something About Society
Peasant Wedding,
by Pieter Bruegel the
Elder, oil on wood,
depicts a peasant
wedding feast where
no more than 20
guests were allowed
to participate

The Purpose of Art

To Tell Us Something About How a
Painting Works

Christ Entering
Jerusalem, by
Pietro Lorenzetti,
1320

Art as Visual
Communication

ART AS VISUAL COMMUNICATION

Build up a knowledge of a
wide range of media and
techniques to convey
intended effects
The aim of most artist is
to interpret what is there
rather than merely record
the subject
Drawings tell us
something about the artist
as well as the subject

Art as Visual
Communication
One reason for
making a
drawing is
inspiration by a
subject matter
Drawings do
not necessarily
have to be highly
finished and
detailed to be
effective

Historical Context

Aboriginal Rock Art

This rock painting in
Queensland depicts a
human figure (probably
a woman) and an
animal (probably a
kangaroo) which may
date back more than
30,000 years.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Historical Context
Head of an Apostle
Looking Downward,
An ink drawing by
German painter
Albrecht Durer in
1508.

The Psychology of
Drawing

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF
DRAWING

The language of
drawing is
universal. It is easy
to read drawings
whatever language
we speak.
Drawings can be
descriptive and
evoke a particular
mood.

The Psychology of
Drawing
The unconscious
spontaneity in
childrens drawing.

The Psychology of
Drawing
The Left Brain
Processing is
rational, verbal,
analytical,
sequential (looks at
the parts).

The Psychology of
Drawing
The Right Brain
Processing is
intuitive, visual,
perceptive,
simultaneous
(looks at the
whole).

THE ARTIST AND HIS TOOLS

Art Tools
Paper
Pencil
Eraser
Drawing Board
Sketchbooks
Artist Tape
Ruler
Clips

Keeping a
Sketchbook
When working outside you will probably need to work quickly,
so choose a technique you are confident with.
Your sketchbook is your
personal visual notebook
somewhere for ideas and
information. For your own
interest, jot down the place
and date on each sketch.

(Start with a few basics such as

pencils) then add more as you
progress in your drawing.

Landscape by Rembrandt
van Rijn (ink, pen and wash)

Keeping a
Sketchbook
Sketches are good way of
gaining an understanding
of the subject before you
start on a more detailed
drawing.

Keeping a
Sketchbook
Your
sketchbook can
also be used
for the
occasional,
more detailed,
analytical study,
or to try out
different media
and effects.

Man in Cap by Duane Eells

(charcoal sketch)

Keeping a
Sketchbook

Notes on
Photograph

There wont be
time to finish a
drawing on the
spot, but once you
get to a certain
stage you will be
able to finish it
later. If necessary,
take a photograph
to remind you of
the scene.

Starting Points. As basis of an idea which you can

develop or interpret in your own way through a
drawing.
Fleeting Moments. For action subjects such as a
speeding car or someone diving into a swimming pool.
You simply would not have the time to sketch these
subjects effectively.
Composition Aids. To provide you with a number of
different viewpoints and suggestions for composition
alternatives.

Summary
Art comes in various forms
Art is influenced by different things
Art has different purposes
Art is a form of visual communication
An artist makes use of different tools