VISUAL ARTS

I. Definition of Terms

1. Painting - refers to the application of color, pigment, or paint to a surface or support.

These surfaces may include paper, wood, canvas, metal, or walls. Paint is made of
pigment mixed in a binder.
2. Sculpture - a three-dimensional artwork which may be made through different processes,
such as carving, modeling, assembling, or casting. It may be executed as a free-standing
object, in relief, or in environments, and a variety of media may be used.
3. Architecture – the art and science of designing spaces and constructing buildings
(structures), and other environmental features.

II. The Elements of Visual Arts

1. Line - The most basic of all the elements. A line is a visible path traced by a moving
point. Lines vary in types. They can be horizontal, vertical, diagonal, straight or curved,
thick or thin. Different lines are used to signify different feelings, for example:

 Horizontal line – rest, serenity, or perfect stability

 Vertical line – dominance, height, power
 Diagonal line – uncertainty, unrest, movement, or action
 Curved line – flow, softness, flexibility, grace

2. Shape - Shapes and forms are figures which define objects in a space. A shape is a two-
dimensional figure. Circles, triangles, and squares are common examples of shapes.
Forms exist in three dimensions. Examples of forms include cubes, cylinders, and
pyramids, among others.

3. Value – it is the relative degree of lightness or darkness in anything that is visible. It

gives an impression of solidity, distance, and depth. Early European artists used a
technique which is defined by a strong contrast between light and dark. This is called
chiaroscuro.

4. Color – it is the product of light reflected off objects. We see different colors because of
light’s various intrinsic qualities, specifically, because of its different wavelengths. In
visual arts, the relationship of colors is best seen in a color wheel.

 Primary colors – Red, Yellow, and Blue (Red, Green, Blue in light)
 Secondary colors – Orange, Green, and Violet
 Tertiary colors – Yellow Green, Blue Green, Blue Violet, Red Violet, Red
Orange, and Yellow Orange
Artists usually use color harmonies. These are combinations of colors which the artist
uses to convey his or her message through the element of color.

 Monochromatic – the use of a single color tint in different values or shades

 Analogous – 3 to 4 neighboring colors with one color in all mixtures
 Complementary – any two opposite colors on the color wheel
 Split complementary – any three colors wherein two of which are beside the
complement of the third color.
 Double split complementary or tetradic – this color scheme uses four colors
arranged into two complementary pairs
 Triad – three colors that form an equilateral triangle in a color wheel

Properties of color:

 Hue – identity or the quality by which we distinguish colors

Cool colors – colors which possess the dominance of blue
Warm colors – colors which possess the dominance of red or yellow
 Value – lightness or darkness of a hue
  Intensity or Saturation – refers to the strength of a hue

5. Texture – refers to surface characteristics. A surface may be rough, smooth, glossy,

coarse, irregular, etc.

6. Space – refers to the area in which an artist arranges elements in a composition. Space
can be two-dimensional (2D) such as in painting and photography, or three-dimensional
(3D), such as in sculpture and installations. Depth can also be suggested in two-
dimensional works, by the application of linear perspective – a graphing of distances
between objects.

Types of perspective:
 One-point – a representation of distance by means of converging lines.
 Two-point – There are two points in line with each other in a horizontal position.
All lines converge on these two points.
 Foreshortening – the modification of an established scale in a drawing of the
human figure to represent perspective.

III. The Principles of Design

1. Balance - the idea of visual equilibrium which gives an impression of stability or

instability.

 Symmetrical Balance – it has equal visual weight on either side of the canvas. It
is visually stable.
 Asymmetrical Balance – an uneven balance.
 Radial Balance – a symmetrical balance wherein elements are distributed evenly
around a central point.

2. Proportion (or scale) – refers to the size relationships of one part to another, and of the
parts to the whole.

3. Rhythm – a visual rhythm is characterized by the repetition or alternation of elements.

Rhythm can be:

 Regular – repetition of a single motif
 Alternating – use of two different motifs alternately
 Flowing – a smooth and graceful type of rhythm
 Progressing – motifs may be presented in a gradual shift in characteristics, like
size (from small to large)

4. Emphasis and Subordination – An emphasis is the focal point that rests on the
subordinate space and easily attracts the attention of the viewer. To emphasize means to
draw attention to essential parts of a composition.

5. Unity – (also called Harmony) refers to the coherence of the elements of a work to the
whole.

6. Variety - The use of differences and change to increase the visual interest of the work.

IV. The Visual Arts (Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture)

A. Painting

Early mediums in painting

 Encaustic – this is a mixture of pigment, wax (beeswax), and resin.

 Fresco – pigment mixed with water and applied to thin layers o either dry plaster
or wet plaster.
 Tempera – a fast-drying medium which is pigment mixed with a glutinous
material (usually egg yolk).
  Ink – a medium containing pigments or dyes which may be in liquid or paste
form and is used for pen and brush drawing, or printing.

Common mediums used in contemporary painting

 Oil paint – consists of pigment mixed with oil (linseed oil) as its binder. It dries
slowly, but lasts long.
 Watercolor – consists of pigment combined with water and gum arabic. Colors
are less luminous, and transparent.
 Acrylic – a quick-drying synthetic medium with emulsion as its binder. It is
favored by a lot of artists because of its ease of use and its versatility.

Selected Styles/ Movements in Western Art

 Realism – a naturalistic approach to subject matter.

 Impressionism – a style wherein paintings are usually done outdoors.
Brushstrokes are fast and colors used are light or pastel.
 Expressionism – an art movement that centers on the expression of inner
emotions. Colors used are vibrant and distortion is usually used.
 Abstract – non-representational or non-figurative imagery. It could also be a
distortion or simplification of forms.
 Dada or Dadaism – an aggressive reaction against conventional art. Dadaists
produced (anti) art objects using unconventional methods.
 Surrealism – an art movement where artists gathered inspiration from the depths
of the subconscious mind.
 Pop Art – an art movement which is centered on, or inspired from familiar
images of popular culture, such as advertisements, comics, and commercial
products.
 Social Realism – an art movement which portrays social and racial injustice and
economic hardship, marked by its realistic depiction of social problems

Notable Philippine painters and their works:

19th century
 Jose Honorato Lozano – known for paintings of letras y figures.
 Damian Domingo – He headed the Academia de Dibujo y Pintura in 1821. He is
known for his paintings of tipos del pais.
 Juan Luna – His work Spoliarium won the gold medal in the 1884 Exposicion
Nacional de Bellas Artes.
 Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo – Las Virgenes Cristianas Expuestas al Populacho
won the silver medal in the 1884 Exposicion Nacional de Bellas Artes.

20th century

Genre painters
 Fabian dela Rosa – Women working in a Rice Field (1902)
 Fernando Amorsolo – Fruit Gatherers (1950), Sunday Morning going to Church
(1953)

The “Triumvirate of modern art”

 Victorio Edades – The Builders (1928)
 Galo Ocampo – Brown Madonna (1938), The River of Life (1954)
 Carlos “Botong” Francisco – Harana (1957)

Other Modernists
 Hernando Ocampo – Homage to Tandang Sora (1977)
 Diosdado Lorenzo – Ilog ng Cabiao (1970)
 Vicente Manansala – Madonna of the Slums (1950)
 Cesar Legaspi – Gadgets II (1949)
 Anita Magsaysay-Ho – Fruit Vendors (1975)
 Jose Joya – Pagdiriwang (1976)
 Arturo Luz – Black Form, White Space (1976)
 Selected contemporary artists
 Antipas Delotavo – Itak sa Puso ni Mang Juan (1977)
 Benedicto Cabrera – EDSA Event (1986)
 Danilo Dalena – Komedya sa Pakil
 Onib Olmedo – Mother and Child
 Brenda Fajardo – Baraha ng Buhay Pilipino (1989)

B. Other related Visual Arts

 Mosaic – small pieces of colored stone or glass glued on the surface

 Tapestry – fabrics with colored designs which are woven in a pattern.
 T’nalak - an indigenous woven fabric made from abaca by the T'boli
tribe of South Cotabato
 Printmaking – creation of a picture or design by printing from a plate that holds
ink or color.
 Photography – the art of creating pictures by recording light into a sensitive
medium, such as film.

C. Sculpture

Mediums used in sculpture

 Wood, metal, stone, granite, marble, wood, jade, ivory, brass, gold, lead,
aluminum, glass, clay, plastic, bronze and others.

Processes/Techniques used in sculpture

 Additive
Modeling – process of creating a form through altering the figure of a
medium, such as clay.
Molding and Casting – a complex process of creating a negative and positive
replica from a model. It is ideal for mass production.
Assemblage – putting together found objects
Welding – process of joining metals
Mobile – kinetic or moving sculpture
Pottery – the process of shaping a material to produce earthenware,
stoneware, or porcelain.

 Subtractive
 Carving – cutting away pieces of material until the desired form is
reached.

Notable Philippine sculptors:

 Mariano Madrinian – a santero from Paete, Laguna

 Guillermo Tolentino – Bonifacio Monument, UP Oblation
 Napoleon Abueva – Judas’ Kiss (1955), Allegorical Harpoon (1964)
 Lamberto Hechanova – Crucifix
 Abdulmari Imao – Sarimanok (1975)
 Eduardo Castrillo – Pieta (1966)
 Solomon Saprid – Tikbalang (1971)
 Ramon Orlina – Venus V (2006)
 Roberto Feleo – Tau-Tao (1994)

D. Architecture

Architectural styles depend on different conditions, such as regional climate,

geographical location, and different aspects of life – social, political, economic, spiritual,
ideological, and technological. These styles also vary through time. Western classical
architectural works were bound to the conventions of classicism, which include balance,
 proportion, and an emphasis on form. Baroque and Rococo’s energetic styles include
intense ornamentation both on the interior and exterior. Modernist architecture tends to
become more straightforward and minimal.

Commonly used materials:

 Organic – wood, bamboo, yakal, sawali, etc.

 Construction – cement, sand, gravel, reinforced concrete
 Stone – adobe, granite
 Fabricated materials – bricks, tiles, glass
 Metal – structural steel, steel bars
 Synthetic materials – plastic, rubber

Brief history of Philippine architecture:

Pre-colonial period
 Native houses were single-room constructions built using indigenous materials
(bamboo, palm leaves, etc.) Roofs were typically pyramidal, windows were wide
and the floor was raised above the ground.

Spanish colonial period

 The Spaniards introduced European styles in architecture and started the
construction of numerous churches. Some of today’s famous Baroque churches
include the San Agustin Church in Intramuros, the Paoay Church in Ilocos, and
the Miag-ao Church in Iloilo.
 The bahay na bato was also formed.
 This period also marked the construction of the walls of Intramuros.

American occupation
 The arrival of the Americans signaled the emergence of monumental neo-
classical structures.
 Daniel H. Burnham was sent by the US government to create urban plans for
Manila and Baguio.
 Juan Arellano designed the Manila Post Office, Legislative building, and the
Manila Metropolitan Theater.
 Antonio Toledo designed the Manila City Hall, and the Agriculture and Finance
buildings at the Agrifina circle in Luneta
 Tomas Mapua designed the Philippine General Hospital and the Normal School
 Juan Nakpil – responsible for the rebuilding of the Quiapo Church in 1930

Middle to late 20th century

 Leandro V. Locsin was commissioned by the Marcos administration to design
numerous edifices for the government. Among these are: The Cultural Center of
the Philippines (CCP), and the Philippine International Convention Center
(PICC). Locsin also designed the Church of the Holy Sacrifice at UP Diliman.
 Froilan Hong – Manila Film Center
 Francisco Mañosa – Coconut Palace
 Mañosa Brothers – San Miguel Building, Ortigas

E. Notable Art forms in Asia

Art Forms and Symbols common in Asia

 Batik - A technique of dyeing cloth which includes the use of removable wax to
repel the dye on parts of a design. Batik or fabrics with the traditional batik
patterns are found in Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, China, and India.
 Calligraphy - decorative art of lettering in an ornamental style. This is
particularly well-known is East Asian arts.
 Wat – an entire religious complex with multiple buildings. Numerous wats are
found across Asia, especially in Thailand and Cambodia.
  Mandala – In Buddhism, a diagram with pictures or statues of gods in specific
positions. Mandala literally means “circle”.
 Stupa – An architectural form which originated in pre-Buddhist India. It can
either be a burial marker or container of precious relics.
 Pagoda - a tiered tower with several eaves. Pagodas are derived from the Indian
stupa and are most commonly Buddhist.
 Masjid – commonly known as “Mosque”, a place of worship for followers of
Islam. One of its architectural features is the minaret, a tall spire from which
summons to prayer are called.
 Naga – literally means “snake” but normally refers to serpent deities. The Naga
motif is found in both Hinduism and Buddhism and is present in different
Southeast Asian countries.
 Apsara – In Hindu and Buddhist mythology, a female spirit of the clouds and
waters, or a nymph of the sky.
 Jataka – tales of the lives of the Buddha, found in different parts of Asia, such as
on the walls of Indonesia’s Borobudur temple.
 Ancient pottery and ceramics are also found all across the Asian continent.

Famous architectural works in Asia:

 India – Taj Mahal, Kandariya Mahadeva temple

 China – The Forbidden City (Palace complex), The Great Wall of China
 Japan – Himeji Castle, Osaka Castle, traditional Japanese gardens
 Cambodia – Angkor Wat (Hindu temple)
 Thailand – Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Arun (Buddhist temples)
 Myanmar – Shwedagon Pagoda, Ananda Temple (Buddhist temples)
 Malaysia – Zahir Mosque, Ubudiah Mosque
 Indonesia – Borobudur (Buddhist temple), Prambanan (Hindu temple)

Indian Art

 Indian art is deeply rooted on religious beliefs, primarily on Buddhism and

Hinduism. Multitudes of Buddhist and Hindu paintings, sculptures, and
architecture are found in the Indian subcontinent and its influences scattered all
across Asia.
 An example is the Great Stupa in Sanchi, India. It was built around the 3 rd
century B.C.E.
 Numerous temples and sculptures of the Buddha were made. One of these
structures includes the Kandariya Mahadeva temple.
 Hindu and Buddhist images are usually depicted showing a specific mudra, a
symbolic gesture. Most mudras are performed with the hands and fingers, and
some involve the entire body.
 A new culture developed in India with the arrival of the Mughals, an Islamic
people from Central Asia. Persian forms mixed with Indian elements to create a
uniquely Indian form of Islamic art. The most celebrated Mughal architecture in
India is the Taj Mahal.

Chinese Art

 The arts of China are shaped by different succeeding dynasties and influenced by
different philosophies such as Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism.
 Chinese Brush Painting
 Started around 4000 BC, executed by using a Chinese brush and Chinese
ink. The same ink is used in calligraphy, and is applied to either paper or
silk.
 Usual subjects are landscapes (4th century), and birds and flowers (9th
century).
 One essential rule in painting: "See the great in the small” and “See the
small in the perspective of the great”
 Qualities of Chinese Brush Painting (Lu Ch’ang)
o To display brushstroke power with good brushwork control
 o To possess sturdy simplicity with refinement of true talent
o To possess delicacy of skill with vigor of execution.
o To exhibit originality, even to the point of eccentricity, without
violating the li (the principles or essence) of things.
o In rendering space by leaving the silk or paper untouched, to be
able nevertheless to convey nuances of tone.
o On the flatness of the picture plane, to achieve depth and space
 In sculpture, the accidental discovery of the buried terracotta army (221 B.C.E)
was one of the most stunning moments in archaeology. It is a collection of
terracotta sculptures representing the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor
of China.

Japanese Art

 Traditional arts were influenced by Shinto, the indigenous spirituality of the

people of Japan. Eventually, Zen Buddhism from China also became a dominant
influence in Japan’s arts and culture.
 Ukiyo-e – A genre of art, mainly in the medium of woodblock print. It is an old
and common art form and its subjects include narratives from history,
landscapes, and townscapes, among others. Katsushika Hokusai was known in
this genre.
 Types of traditional painting - Buddhist painting (Butsuga), Scroll painting
(Emakimono), Ink painting (Suibokuga), Screen and Wall Painting (Shoheiga).
 Japanese Gardens – gardens with symbolic aesthetics arising from the expression
of Shinto beliefs and Buddhist intellectual conventions.
 Ikebana – Japanese flower arrangement with origins in early Buddhist flower
offerings. It developed into a distinctive art form in the 15th century.
 Origami – the art of paper folding, which started around the 17 th century.
 Bunraku – Japanese puppetry which developed also in the 17th century.

Korean Art

 The earliest historical record of painting in Korea comes from the area of Lelang
in Korea where a tradition of painting existed from sometime around 108 B.C.
 Korean Painting was deeply influenced by Chinese art.
 Painting was also very evident on the walls of the Koguryo tombs. The murals
are strongly colored and show daily life and Korean mythologies of the time.

Indonesian Art

 Indonesian traditional arts are rooted on Buddhism and Hinduism. Even though
the nation is predominantly Islamic at present, cultural heritage is well preserved.
 Wayang - a Javanese term for particular kinds of theatre. These are usually
accompanied by a gamelan, a musical ensemble composed of different
metallophones.
 Wayang Kulit – traditional Indonesian shadow play/ shadow puppets
 Wayang Golek – wooden rod puppets
 Dalang - the puppeteer in an Indonesian wayang performance.

Vietnamese Art

 Pottery in Vietnam dates back to the Stone Age. In the Bronze Age, the Dong
Son culture developed unique drums cast in bronze. These are known as the
Dong Son drums.
 Lacquer Painting – paintings applied on wood. A wooden panel is covered with
a piece of cloth glued to it using the sap of a lacquer tree. This is then coated with
a layer of the sap mixed with earth. The board is then polished and recoated with
another layer of sap.
  Lacquer paintings incorporate the traditional colours -- brown, black, red,
yellow, white -- and the technique of inlaying egg, crab and snail shells.
 As far back as the 11th century, lacquer was widely used in the
ornamentation of palaces, communal halls, temples, pagodas and shrines.
 Water Puppetry – a tradition of water puppets which may have started in the 12 th
century. It is still a very popular art form in Vietnam.