understand relevant genres, styles and techniques used by artists past and present

1️⃣ Genres of Painting

• Portrait – capturing a person’s likeness and personality.
• Landscape – depicting natural scenery.
• Still Life – arranging inanimate objects to explore light and form.
• Historical & Narrative – telling a story or depicting an event.
• Abstract – focusing on colour, shape and feeling rather than realistic representation.

2️⃣ Key Styles & Movements

3️⃣ Techniques & Media

1. Oil Paint – rich colours, slow drying, allows blending.
2. Acrylic – fast drying, versatile, can mimic oil or watercolor.
3. Watercolour – transparent washes, requires careful control of water.
4. Gouache – opaque watercolour, great for flat areas.
5. Ink & Pen – precise lines, often used in illustration.
6. Mixed Media – combining paint, collage, digital elements.

🔧 Tip: Try a “dry brush” technique in oils to create a textured, almost fur-like surface.

4️⃣ Analogy Corner

Think of Impressionism like a quick photo taken in bright sunlight: you capture the overall mood, not every detail. In contrast, Renaissance painters were like meticulous photographers who used lenses (perspective) and film (light) to create a realistic image.

When you use cubist fragmentation, imagine cutting a pizza into slices and then re‑assembling the slices so you can see the pizza from every angle at once.

5️⃣ Examination Tips

💡 Remember: The examiners love clear, concise answers that show you can link technique to effect.