what do look at in a painting, color or composition?

Answer 1

both are important, but first you see colour and it must attract you to see the composition :)

Answer 2

Colour and composition are both important to the interpretation of the work as is the background of the artist and what the painting would have meant or does mean to contemporaries.

Answer 3

Both, but also things like how realistic people are represented in art, their expressions and how they are positioned...whether there is a frontal view of eyes on a sideways face (like in the Egyptian art) or "dropped" position of feet.

There's also type of painting (illumination, frescoe, etc.) and use of space.

Also, symbolism to look for...something in a painting that could reflect religion or something happening in society at the time of the painting, or some other event.

One example I remember from a recent art history class is the Limbourg Brothers' illuminated painting called "January." Towards the top is the image of a comet. It's supposed to represent when Halley's Comet passed at the time. The painting is dated 1413-1416, Gothic / Proto Renaissance.

Answer 4

That depends on what you are looking for.

Artists do tend to take both into consideration. A piece of artwork is rarely successful without both color and composition being well thought out and well executed.

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Answer 5

Composition is always important, but so is the treatment of the color.

Answer 6

If it's good:

1.) It'll sort of overwhelm you.
2.) You'll really like it.
3. ) You won't get tired of it.
4. ) If you're an artist, you'll ask yourself; " Why am I wasting time and getting busy .... like this guy? "