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How To Choose Oil Paintings To Decorate Your Home

April 9th, 2010 3:35 am

Choosing exactly which oil paintings are right for however can be fairly difficult and the wrong choice can stand out like a sore thumb. The idea here again is to go things that won’t date, as well as things that say something about you personally. And of course they have to match with your colour scheme.


Fortunately there are a couple of options you can be sure won’t date. Ironically one of the best ways is to pick artwork that’s already dated. The reason this works is that people will (hopefully) know that it was dated when you bought it, meaning that you consciously decided on it rather than just failing to keep up with the times. Picking something retro or geek-chic can even be ironic in this sense, and getting an oil painting of a Star Wars character or Nightrider can be great for someone young and a bit alternative. In the same way paintings of anything or anyone iconic, such as Mohamed Ali, Elvis or Marilyn Munroe can give your room a hint of character and a spot of retro chic.

Of course this won’t be to everyone’s taste, but if you go further back you’ll start getting into more classic territory. While it’s unlikely that you’ll be unable to afford an original piece of old artwork, getting reproductions of your favourite well-known oil paintings can make a mature and cultured centre piece for your dining room.

If you want something that will draw less attention to itself however then a landscape can make a much more subtle addition to your walls and can also make the room feel more spacious. Though these are more ‘standard’ you can still choose something that reflects your personality as well as the ‘temperature’ of the room. If you have lots of mahogany for example you might choose an autumn scene, whereas a brighter more modern room might benefit from a beach with a palm tree.

Another option that demands less attention but won’t be to everyone’s tastes is to choose something abstract. This can be modern art or just attractive shapes and again the secret is to go for a design that appeals to you personally and fits the tone of the room. Some abstract art can be a little surreal and edgy however which may not be appropriate for more relaxing rooms unless you want to psyche out your guests.

So there are countless options when picking oil paintings and each can offer something different to the decor; it’s just picking the right one for you and your room.

History Of Abstract Painting

March 31st, 2010 6:50 am

The art of abstract painting began a very long time ago. Artists began this art several hundred years ago. In fact, you have probably seen some of the more famous abstract paintings before. You may recall a famous abstract painting created by Van Gogh. Picasso also had an abstract painting or two as well. Modigliani is also known for his abstract painting work. Because of these artists, and many others, the art of abstract painting has gained popularity in the modern world.


Now what exactly is an abstract painting? An abstract painting is defined in many ways. First off, an abstract painting does not depict reality like traditional paintings. In the beginning, most art was depicting a photographic or realistic expression of someone or something. But an abstract painting does not do this. The definition of an abstract painting is that an abstract painting does not depict objects in the natural world. Rather, an abstract painting uses colors and shapes in a non-representing and nonobjective manner. It can be of anyone, anything, or just nothing at all.

You can easily see this when you look at an abstract painting. An abstract painting has bold, bright, and vivid colors. An abstract painting also has many biometric shapes that are used with the bold colors to make the artwork stand out. It is both strange and beautiful to look at an abstract painting.

In the 1940′s a movement called “Abstract Expressionism” was started. This movement was started to show the freedom of an artist’s expression and to push the art of abstract painting. It was started in New York in a school that also called it “Action Painting.” This school was one of the first American schools that declared its independence from the European style of artwork. They liked to think of their art as a form of spiritual and intellectual art. This then further pushed the art of abstract painting.

Now that you know the history of the art of abstract painting you may come to understand it better. It is important to appreciate all forms of art, including the odd art of an abstract painting. You may find yourself wanting to get a piece of this artwork for yourself. It is truly an interesting thing to look at.