Introduction to Art

This book is not designed to teach the reader how to be an artist, nor is it step-by step instruction on how to directly make art. This book is an overview of tools, procedures and creation paradigms for creating art within each of the major artistic disciplines.

Training a person to create art is not a subject that can be easily handled by any one book, at least not effectively. Learning to create art is a process that consists of directed practice and diligent study.

The aim of this book is to give the reader a better understanding for some of the individual components that generally make up artistic creation and the creative process.

Art, an Introduction

 * /Introduction/
 * /What is Art?/
 * /How to Use This Book/
 * /What is the Creative Process?/
 * /Conceptualizing A Work of Art/


 * /Art Throughout History/
 * /Where is Art Headed?/

Two-Dimensional

 * /The Basics of Two-Dimensional Art/


 * /Drawing I/ – Overview, Examples, and Tools Used
 * /Drawing II/ – Forms of Drawing (i.e. Line Drawing)
 * /Drawing Exercises/ – Exercises for Learning Drawing


 * /Painting I/ – Overview, Examples, and Tools Used
 * /Painting II/ – Forms of Painting (i.e. Water Colors)
 * /Paints (Water-Based)/ – Important Considerations for Water-Based Paints
 * /Paints (Oil-Based)/ – Important Considerations for Oil-Based Paints
 * /Paints (Wax-Based)/ – Important Considerations for Encaustic Paints
 * /Painting Exercises/ – Exercises for Learning Painting


 * /Digital Art I/ – Overview, Examples, and Tools Used
 * /Digital Art II/ – Forms of Digital Art (i.e. Vector Graphics)
 * /Digital Art (Color Schemes)/ – Important Considerations for Digital Color Schemes
 * /Digital Art Exercises/ – Exercises for Learning Making Digital Art


 * /Sculpture I/ – Overview, Examples, and Tools Used


 * /How to Make a Living/
 * /Practical Approach for the Artist/ – Learning how to market your Art, to whom, where and when. Resources.
 * /Legalities/ Learning copyrights, attribution laws, contractual arrangements. Keeping the books.
 * /Finer points for Contemporary Fine Artists/ – Overcoming "starving artist" mythology, how to make a living as an artist while you're still alive. Interviews with successful contemporaries.

Art History
See the dedicated text to Art History.
 * /Art History Basics/
 * Art History/Movements

Appendices

 * /References/
 * /Web Resources/