Introduction to Visual Arts – SS1 Visual Arts Lesson Note (First Term)

Visual art is the art of making things that are mainly seen and often touched, such as drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics and craft.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. define visual art;
2. name the two classes of visual arts and list the types under each;
3. name common visual art materials and state their uses;
4. state at least five functions of visual art.

What is visual art?

Visual art is the branch of art that produces works which appeal mainly to the sense of sight and the sense of touch.

• Seen: a painting, a poster or a building is looked at and enjoyed.
• Touched: a carving, a clay pot or a piece of cloth can be handled.
• Made by people: the artist plans and produces the work with skill and imagination.
• Wide in range: it includes ceramics, drawing, painting, sculpture and craft.
• Influence: it can inspire, educate and challenge how we see things, and it shapes our culture, history and personal experiences.

How are visual arts classified?

There are two classes of visual arts: fine arts and applied arts.

What are fine arts?

Fine arts are visual arts made mainly to be enjoyed for their beauty and ideas.

• Drawing: making pictures and designs with lines, using pencil, charcoal or pen.
• Painting: drawing and colouring pictorial compositions with paint.
• Sculpture: modelling and carving objects in clay, wood, stone or metal.
• Architecture: designing houses and other buildings.

What are applied arts?

Applied arts, also called industrial art, are visual arts made to be useful as well as attractive.

• Ceramics: moulding items such as cups, plates, pots and glassware.
• Textile: designing patterns on cloth and fabrics with prints and dyes.
• Metalwork: shaping metal into useful and decorative items, including jewellery such as necklaces, earrings, bracelets and pendants.
• Graphics: designing printed materials such as posters, banners and flyers.
• Photography: making pictures with a camera.
• Fashion design: designing clothes and accessories.
• Industrial design: designing products made in factories, such as furniture and household items.
• Interior design: planning and decorating the inside of rooms and buildings.

What is the difference between fine arts and applied arts?

What materials are used in visual art?

Visual art materials are the tools and substances an artist uses to make a work.

1. Pencil: used for drawing and shading. Its core is graphite, and it comes in soft and hard grades.
2. Watercolour: light in texture and used on paper or cardboard. It is sold as paste in tubes and as tablets in cases.
3. Poster colour: thicker and darker than watercolour. It is sold in assorted colours and used on cardboard.
4. Crayons: mostly used by children. They are made in pencil form or as wax.
5. Palette: a mixing board on which colours are mixed, mainly in painting.

What are the functions of visual art?

The functions of visual art are the roles it plays in the life of an individual and of society.

1. Aesthetic pleasure: creating beauty, harmony and balance.
2. Self-expression: communicating emotions, thoughts and experiences.
3. Storytelling: conveying narratives, myths and histories.
4. Social commentary: criticising social norms, politics and culture.
5. Emotional effect: evoking feelings, empathy and connection.
6. Intellectual stimulation: encouraging thought, analysis and interpretation.
7. Therapeutic benefits: providing comfort and healing.
8. Cultural preservation: keeping heritage, traditions and values alive.
9. Personal identity: reflecting individuality and a sense of belonging.
10. Spiritual or religious expression: connecting with the divine or sacred.

Evaluation

1. What is visual art?
2. Name the two classes of visual arts.
3. List four types of applied arts.
4. State the uses of a palette and of crayons.
5. State three functions of visual art.

Assignment

Name three materials used in visual art and state the use of each.