Chapter 5: The Language of Art

"Old School New Art - Craftsmanship: Today's Avant-Garde" - Jeffrey T. Larson

​​Think of the abstract elements in a painting as akin to the harmonious melody that complements the lyrics of a song. In this analogy, the words represent the tangible subject matter whereas the music embodies the underlying abstract arrangement.

Whether in painting or music, the essence of success lies in achieving a seamless synchronicity between the theme or subject matter poetically expressed and the emotional response evoked through the abstract substructure.

Consider, for instance, a successful song – it resonates when the subject matter is elegantly conveyed through lyrics and harmoniously married to the abstract elements, including octaves, tempo, and phrasing. Similarly, a painting's success hinges on the interplay between the recognizable subject matter (be it landscapes, dancing figures, or a bowl of fruit) and the abstract composition encompassing elements such as value structure, color harmonies, arabesque, and linear design.  

Let’s dive deeper into the realm of abstract elements: each one plays a distinctive role in the artistic tapestry. Take, for instance, the concept of line quality. It's worth recognizing that even in the most celebrated drawings by artists such as Michelangelo, what seems like a representation of a "man" primarily consists of meticulously arranged lines. These lines are, at their core, artificial constructs, much like words themselves are essentially organized sounds. Sounds that represent letters that form words that have specific meanings.