Name:______________________________________________________________
__________________Mr. Vedder - Studio Art
Optical Art
A twentieth century art movement and style in which artists
sought to create an impression of movement on the picture
surface by means of optical illusion.
Optical Illusion is an image that deceives a person, leading
to a misinterpretation of its meaning.
www.artlex.com
OPTICAL ART INSPIRING ARTISTS:
Bridget
Riley:
(1931-)
Bridget Riley began her first Op Art
paintings in the late 1950’s, working
only in black and white and using simple
geometric shapes – squares, lines and
ovals to create artwork which give the
illusion of movement. Although she
investigated many areas of perception,
her work, with its emphasis on optical
effects was never intended to be an end
in itself.
By the end of the 1960s, Riley was using
a full range of color. Sometimes lines of
color are used to give a shimmering
effect, while other works fill the canvas
with tessellating patterns.
Bridget Riley’s major paintings are very
large and may take six to nine months
to develop, almost to evolve. She begins
by making small color studies.
Everything is painted by hand – no
rulers, masking tape or mechanical
means are used when actually applying
the paints. Riley has worked with
assistants since the 1960s because of
the large scale and the need for great
precision.
The paintings of Victor Vasarely, who
had used designs of black and white
lines since the 1930s, are an obvious
influence.
http://www.op-art.co.uk/bridget-riley/
Victor
Vasarely:
(19061997)
Vasarely is widely regarded as the father
of Op-Art. During the 1960’s and 70’s
his optical images became part of the
popular culture, having a deep impact
on architecture, computer science and
fashion.
Victor Vasarely, “Blue Black”
The breakthrough brought by his
“kinetic” visual experiments
transformed the flat surface into
a world of unending possibilities.
http://www.vasarely.com/
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN:
Rhythm refers to a regular repetition of elements of art to produce the look and
feel of movement. It is often achieved through the careful placement of repeated
components, which invite the viewer's eye to jump rapidly or glide smoothly from one
to the next. Often associated with pattern.
Movement is the arrangement of the parts of an image to create a sense of
motion by using lines, shapes, and textures that cause the eye to move over the work. It
can be a way of combining elements of art to produce the look of action or suggestion
of motion.
Harmony is a union or blend of aesthetically compatible components. Harmony
refers to a way of combining elements of art to accent their similarities and bind the
picture parts into a whole. It is often achieved through the use of repetition and
simplicity.
Balance refers to the way the elements of art are arranged to create a feeling of
stability in a work; a pleasing or harmonious arrangement or proportion of parts or
areas in a design or composition. Balance can be symmetrical, or formal; or it can be
asymmetrical, or informal. It can also be radial.
www.artlex.com
Student samples: