CONTEMPORARY ART MOVEMENTS

Abstract Expressionism Action Painting Color-field Painting

Optical Art Popular Art Minimalism

Performance Art Earth Art Photorealism Neo-expressionism Conceptual Art Post-Modernism

DefinitionArt produced at the present period in time;

includes, and develops from, Postmodern art, which is itself a successor to Modern art.

Contemporary Art

Pre-1945 Emphasis on

imitationalism; realism Documentation of

events, historical figures, or religion

Paris = center of art world

Post-1945 Emphasis on formalism;

color and geometry Revolt against

previous movements NYC = new center of art

world Europe in disarray

after WW2 Rise of Fascism in

Europe brought artists to the US

The History of Contemporary Art

Abstract ExpressionismMid 40s – 50s: 1st new

style to arriveEmphasizes abstract

elements of art instead of recognizable subjects; Stresses feelings and emotions

Major Artists: Hans Hofmann, Jackson Pollock, Josef Albers, Mark Rothko, Willem de Kooning

Abstract ExpressionismAction PaintingEmphasized the spontaneous,

physical act of painting (dripping, splattering, pouring, etc.)

Major Artists: Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning

Color Field PaintingColor for the pure sense of colorHas a calmer, almost spiritual

qualityMajor Artists: Mark Rothko and

Helen Frankenthaler

Shimmering Substance (1946), by Jackson Pollock

No. 61 (Rust and Blue) (1953),by Mark Rothko

Optical ArtMid 50s – 70sUses scientific

knowledge of vision to create optical illusions of movement, relying on the careful manipulation of the elements and principles of design

Major Artists: Bridget Riley, Victor Vasarely, MC Escher

Movement in Squares (1961), by Bridget Riley

Pop ArtLate 50s – 60sArtists portrayed images in

pop culture and mass media.

Began in Great Britain and spread to the US as a reaction against Abstract Expressionism; it’s playful and iconic, not psychological and spiritual.

Major Artists: Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, and Claus Oldenburg

Campbell’s Soup I (1968), by Andy Warhol

MinimalismLate 60s – PresentArtists sought absolute

simplicity, using a minimum of art elements: shape or color.

Hard-edge paintings: emphasis is on crisp, precise edges

Major Artists: Frank Stella, Donald Judd, Ronald Bladen, and Dan Flavin

Harran II (1967), by Frank Stella

Untitled (1967), by Lorser Feitelson

COLOR SCHEMES & PSYCHOLOGY

Baroque Period (17th century)

Natural color palette with few bright colors, other than red and gold

Impressionism (19th century) Brighter more vivid colors

used to capture emotionPost-Modernism (20th century)

Contemporary artists push the limits of color use

History of Color in Art

Color Scheme: Monochromatic

One hue with its tints, shades, and tones

Example-Blue with tints, shades, and tones

Color Scheme: Analogous

Colors next to one-another on the color wheel (usually either warm or cool colors)

Example:Red, red-orange, orange, yellow-orange

Color Scheme: Complementary Opposites on the

Color Wheel

Examples:Red & GreenRed-Orange & Blue-Green

Create contrast when placed in a composition next to one another

Color Scheme: Triadic

Formed by three equally spaced colors on the wheel

Example:Red-orange, yellow-green, blue-violet

Color Scheme: Split-Complementary

Uses a base color, and the two colors adjacent to its complement

Example:Red-orange, green, blue

Color Scheme: Neutral

Black, white, shades of gray, and sometimes brown Brown can be

created by mixing two complimentary colors

Can be considered earthy

Definition: Scientific study of how color effects one’s

mood

Color Psychology

Cool Colors: Appear to recede

Warm Colors: Appear inviting

Color Psychology

RED ORANGE

Color Psychology

YELLOW GREEN

Color Psychology

BLUE VIOLET

Color Psychology: NEUTRALS

WHITE Clean, innocent,

pure, holy

BLACK Darkness, death,

mourning, despair, questionable character

GRAY Neutral,

unnoticed, somber, practical

BROWN Earthy, dirty,

crude

COLOR MEDIA

What is it? Fast-

drying paint containing pigment suspension in acrylic polymer emulsion.

Water soluble, but become water-resistant when dry.

Wide range of viscosities (thick, medium, thin body)

Can resemble other types of paint, or have its own characteristics

Color Medium- Acrylic Paint

Acrylic Surfaces Canvas is the best to use Avoid surfaces with oil or wax

(paints won’t adhere); avoid surfaces that may warp due to the moisture

Gel Media Used to broaden the technical

capabilities and results of acrylic paints.

Can alter consistency/thickness, reduce gloss, adhere things to the canvas, etc.

Color Medium- Acrylic Paint

What is it? Tubes of wood with an

inner core of clay. Instead of graphite, a dye coloring agent is used.

Used to create detailed drawings that require precision; good for fine detail, implied texture, linear perspective, etc.

Color Medium- Colored Pencils

Techniques Layering- creating depth

and new colors by applying undertones first

Burnishing- applying heavy layers of pencil until the tooth of the paper is completely filled in and the colors look blended together (use colorless wax blender or white)

Color Medium- Colored Pencils

FIGURE DRAWING

Figure Proportions Mass is represented

with: Trapezoids in front

views:

Ovals in side or ¾ views:

The height of an adult is approx. 7.5 heads high

Figure Drawing Techniques Spine-Mannequin

Technique Helps the artist maintain

accurate scale and proportion by plotting points and adding form

Gesture Drawing Using quick motions to

capture the essence of the figure’s pose