In this post, I show you how to do an artist study. Over the years, I have been involved in hundreds of artist studies, including them in our extensive homeschool history units as well as specifically teaching them for Lillie’s and Becca’s level two and level three qualifications. Lillie is currently studying illustration and visual communication at UAL, the number two art university in the world. Becca is hoping to obtain a place on their highly sought after fashion degree course. As you can see, art and the study of art, has featured heavily in our homeschool. I am also artistic, and whilst I did not get the opportunity to study art when I was younger, I am currently teaching myself in my fifties. Honestly, it is never too late to learn!
Have a peek at Lillie’s first art exhibition about mental health in young people
If you’d like to learn how to do an artist study, either for your own learning or that of your homeschooled children, you’re in the right place! Littered throughout this post will be links to some of the artist studies we have done in our homeschool.
Picture Study: Botticelli’s Map of Hell
Benefits to doing an Artist Study
I will outline the many benefits below and then share my own thoughts. Benefits include:
- Developing your skill by studying an artist’s technique, style and approach. In this way you are able to learn new methods, experiment with a variety of mediums and improve your understanding of composition, colour theory and other essential elements of art.
- Inspire your creativity by exposing yourself to a variety of artistic styles and perspectives. Focusing on how specific artists have tackled themes and subjects can help develop how you see the world and your place (and your art’s place) in it.
- Deepen your understanding of how an artist’s work reflects the artistic, political, social, cultural and historical landscape of its time. This can improve your appreciation of their art and its significance as art often mimics what is going on in a wider cultural context
- It can improve your critical thinking and problem solving skills fostering self-expression and personal growth. Analysing a specific artist’s choices (for example materials, composition or subject matter) hones your critical thinking. This can then be applied to the artistic choices you make regarding your own work
Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that which speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable; originality is nonexistent.
—Jim Jarmusch
Steal Like an Artist
One of the most influential books (for me) I have ever read is ‘Steal Like an Artist’ by Austin Kleon. This was a game changer! There are so many quotes from his books which spoke to me. I have mentioned my favourite in the video I’ll be sharing below. Kleon talks about art as being a collage…a mish mash of all sorts of art which has come before. This is what an artist study is to me. It’s learning from those who have gone before me, borrowing what I needed and rejecting those things I do not. It’s not about looking like the artist you admire but seeing like them <—– Kleon non-verbatim quote.
Cimabue Artist Study for Homeschoolers – Painting done with our own home-made tempura paint!
Steps of How to do an Artist Study
Project Based Homeschooling: Mona Lisa Picture Study
Choosing the Artist
Edgar Degas {Impressionist} – A Mixed Media Interpretation
Finding an artist to study is fun! I keep a running list of those artists, illustrators, visual communicators that I one day want to dig a bit deeper into. Of course, most of the time it is their art which sucks me in, sometimes it is their time in history (certainly, in our home school this is more frequent) and very occasionally it is the actual life of the artist which is of interest. I have little interest, for example, in fashion but often the designers themselves have a fascinating story. In fact, I think personally I enjoy story more than facts, motivation or the why of the art more than the art itself and I particularly enjoy learning something new.
Simple Art Study: Hicks
The More Intriguing the Better!
Choose someone who fascinates you in some way. Fascination is the tool which helps you to dig deep without boredom or information fatigue. Any time you see art which interests you, jot down the artist. Any time you read a picture book in which you find art that lights something inside of you, jot down the illustrator. When you go into an art gallery or museum and see something which piques your interest, jot it down. If you read a newspaper which has an article about an artist and you want to find out more, jot down their name. Be interested in your surroundings, both large scale and small scale…I promise you, the artists will find their way to you.
Artist Study: Michelangelo
What is the Purpose of your Artist or Art Study?
Think about what it is you’d like to learn. If pointillism makes you go all a-quiver, then you’ll want to look at Seurat, but if colourful circles are your thing, Kandinsky’s your man! And if the sunflowers of Van Gogh float your boat, you might find that Gauguin’s similar use of vibrant colour and expressive brush strokes could also be of interest. If, like me, you are hoping to create your own children’s picture book then children’s illustrators are the obvious explorative choice. My point is that your interest and your purpose should guide your choice of artist. Oh, and it’s important to know that the artist you choose does not have to be famous, well-known or even published in some way. You can study a friend’s art, if you want…the most important thing is that the artist and/or art has something to teach you.
Venezuelan Art Study: Santiago Pol – In this art study, Pol saw my post on him and the children’s rendition of his art and he left a message on my blog! Pop into the post – it’s in another language but worth putting into Google translate!
Research the Artist
Georges Seurat {Impressionist Artist Study}
There are a multitude of books out there on almost every well known artist and many lesser known artists. Art has always been a bit of a hobby (read obsession) for me. A large proportion of our homeschool was and is spent on creating something, be it historical food, biological models or digging around a particular artist or art movement. This has been amazing for Lillie because she has found that through homeschool she has been exposed to much of the art she is learning at uni. She’s done silk painting, paper making, clay relief work…this means she has a larger repertoire of techniques to draw from.
Artist Study: Susan Schwake – Large Scale Ink Drawing
Another way to research an artist might be to google them. Many have their own website which tend to be rich in information, particularly about their past works. Google can also be used to search for papers, critical analyses and write ups of exhibitions. These are great for creating mini books for highlighting, annotating and then sticking in your project book.
Van Eyck Artist Study – another time when we made our own paints and painted with them
Don’t Just Look at the Artist
Take a quick look at their artistic influences as well as the historical and cultural context of their work. Far from being tedious, this type of knowledge will bring to life your favourite artist!
Artist Study: Tony Cragg {Sculptor}
Analyse Selected Artwork from your Chosen Artist
Pierre-Auguste Renoir {Impressionist}
For example:
- Subject Matter: What is the artwork about? Is it narrative, realistic, abstract, or figurative?
- Technique: What media and techniques did the artist use? How did they apply them?
- Composition: How is the artwork structured? How are elements like space, depth, and perspective used?
- Color: How is color used? Is there a restricted palette? What emotions or effects are created?
Experimentation
Impressionist Artist Study: Monet
This is the funnest part for me (and probably for most creatives)! Try recreating aspects of the artist’s work, experimenting with their techniques and style.
Reflection
Whilst perhaps not the most interesting part of an artist study, I would argue this is one of the most important aspects. Becoming a reflective practitioner, no matter what you are practicing in, is essential in creating self-awareness and preventing boredom and burn-out. Reflecting on all you have learnt allows you to see what has been successful and what hasn’t. It also encourages a learner to see their strengths and weaknesses and allows them to plan for the next study accordingly.
I recommend having a reflective practice diary or including reflections within your actual project book.
I have created (I think my longest video yet) detailing the next double page of my art project and discussing tips to improve any art or artist study. In this video, I show you some more continuous drawings, negative space paintings, mark making with items found in the bathroom (!), collage making, as well as a little bit of text analysis:
If the video above does not work for you, you can also find the video here.
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