Important Elements Of Art

Hands down for me would be composition and originality. But like music it depends on my mood on what draws me at certain moments.

For me it would depend on the particular artwork in question.

As for quality? I submit the term itself lends itself to a bit of subjectivity. “One man's trash is another man's treasure”?

Feeling. I don't have any formal education in art or photography, self learned hobbyist, so mainly I am guided with my feelings.

composition

All of the above, but above all, personal style and originality.

Actually, I think it's color for me. Then, some kind of emotional connection. I know those aren't on your list. Maybe I should think about this more.

all the above + Murray and Patricia's items. The first thing that hits me is composition, then light and dark balance which sort of comes back to composition!

What a great thread Jeffery! This may at first sound strange or that I am treading on duplicity but it is other people's good artworks! We can't live without each other even in the art world other people's art give ideas in addition to other things that you can put your own ideas into for an original work.

People that have formal education have the advantage of seeing a lot of good artwork in textbooks, slides, travel, teachers artwork and other students' artwork which greatly influences ones art. You don't have to have an art degree you can see good artwork on your own I'm just saying that is what education in art does for a person.

I believe an artist needs to research their subject (now that we have the internet it is easier than ever) and see how other artists view their subject and what new techniques you can learn whether it comes from another artist or a textbook it is the same thing, to aid the artist. We can run dry of ideas and not even want to do any work because of running out of ideas and no motivation. I find all I have to do to jump start my art is to go on FAA, Pinterest or Google and look until I see that visual that gets me excited about taking pictures or manipulating an image.

1: concept/subject matter........2: impact (visual or mental)........3: balanced composition/the "golden mean"........4: something that breaks all of the other rules.

The subject grabs my eye firstly! I am composing it in my brain secondly. And finally its a go or no go! Mostly go with final decision later when I look at it closer. Hopefully whatever rules I read about have been applied subconsciously as I am not one to sit and analyze while shooting. Maybe that's my problem.

What l love is your own unique style, everyone has there own
makes it more fascinating and interesting.
Such alot great talent here!!

Composition - without all the "dreaded" rules; color follows composition but is part of the overall composition as well; quality - subjective yes - but there is no denying that there needs to be quality in the finished work - the material part of the artwork; and when we come to subject matter - well, for sure that is "personal" preference - some like sunrise/sunset/clouds, some like flowers, landscapes, mountains, portraits, life around them, the ocean, boats, barns and cattle. For me, as my own example - I don't like clowns, I don't care for images of 'zoo animals', and I'm not real keen on religious or irreligious subjects either. I've yet to understand why anyone would hang a picture of Marilyn Monroe or any other celebrity on their wall that they didn't know, seriously - I understand the 'Vargas' girls, but . . . And I wonder about those that hang pictures of 'star wars' characters on their wall ... and Mickey Mouse ... I mean really?

For me, in a painting, it's immediacy of application--through bold color, strong line, and provoking mood--where no evidence of "flinching" or second guessing is apparent. Paint like your meant it! This is the route to success.

For me, use of colors and the way to use brushes always are appealing to me.

As we all know the definition of Composition is " the combining of parts or elements to form a whole". Personally I would have to say composition is the most important visual element of any type of art. To me it brings the rest of the answers together to make a whole.
Composition is whatever you want it to be when it comes to art. The subject matter is a personal choice in whatever form of art you choose to express yourself.
The quality varys from artist to artist and is a matter of personal opinion. In the final presentation it needs to present itself with quality to catch the eye of others. Each artist has their own personal style which makes their work their own original form of expression which are the elements which make the whole. Composition is a form of a personal journey that not everyone will understand which falls into the answer none of the above.

To me art is communication. That is the single most important thing to me. What it is it communicating. Composition is important but if all that is communicated is composition then it should be something a it out of the ordinary or thought provoking or something. Subject can be very important. Look how much can be communicated by a baby animal image, even if the composition is nothing more than a rule of thirds. But subject is not a requirement. Communicating something, an emotion, idea, concept or evoking any mood tickling the mind, touching the heart, evoking beauty or just intrigue is the main requirement I see. If it is something that can't be verbalized than all the more it is art. Even if the only one that gets it is yourself. Some say it is about expressing, but I say communication is more close to what I see as visual art.
Short answer-none of the above.

I'm leaning more towards composition than anything. If it is not composed well, nothing else is going to capture my interest.

Composition then style. I would have to say that those two are the most important but then color usage, quality and subject matter are also key factors. So I suppose it is a recipe of all that makes ones art stand on its own.

in no order

subject - how interesting, unique etc.
composition - time of day, use of light, framing it right
quality - removing distractions, making it printable, making it look nice


---Mike Savad

Composition is the first thing I notice, then quality. The two of them are the most important elements for me.

Subject would be an important element to me if I were considering purchasing and displaying the work, but it's not necessary for me to appreciate a work.

With me it is "how it makes me feel" on first impression.

Intent. Being able to relegate the vision or concept into a tangible reality.

feelings communicated; negative spaces and how they impact the composition; and movement.

Contrast, harmony, and cohesiveness.

As a buyer, I notice color and composition first. But as an artist, if I don't have a subject that inspires me there will be no color or composition because there will be no artwork.

Composition, Quality and Subject in this particular order;
without these components work of art will not came into existence.

Such things as originality, personal style or uniqueness, emotional attachments, aura, mood, sentiment, spirit, temper, feeling, etc.,
are only self-deceiving psychological phantoms.

What Barry Says:

"1: concept/subject matter........2: impact (visual or mental)........3: balanced composition/the "golden mean"........4: something that breaks all of the other rules."

QUALITY.. without quality you cant see composition or subject matter.

You can not separate effective composition from anything or everything else--all elements in image-making are intertwined and work in unison to complete an effective package. When people are saying "composition above everything," then I say what good is composition if the matter of expression is lifeless, dull, unimaginative, and hackneyed? In other words, it is great that all components may be well-composed, but why should anyone care to look at the work if nothing in the expression grabs the eye? Let's not confuse over-stressed academic compostional correctness with inventive visual dialogue.

Composition/Design. Always.


Dan Turner
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online

I can only speak as to sculpture, The most important for me is movement in the sculpture, and then I would say emotion/feeling and finally the meaning of the piece or the story it tells.