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More on choosing artworks

One of the most common questions we get is about how to choose artworks for homes or offices. We had shared an excellent article on this topic in the past. Now, we would like to take the opportunity to expand on the discussion, particularly on the influence of style, colour and scale in choosing artwork.

Style

A mismatching style can be very disconcerting, be it in a person’s appearance or interior design. Hence, one of the hallmark of good interior design is a coherent style.

You should still buy what you love in art but it is just as important to consider how it would fit within the established theme of the interior space. It may seem like an obvious consideration but many people buy artworks in galleries on the spur of the moment, only to feel disappointed when it is brought home as the artwork somehow doesn’t get along with the style of the room.

Unless you have chosen to go an eclectic style, which has more leeway but requiring some mastery to pull off, you should try to stick to one style in each defined space.

For example, abstract art fits perfectly in modern homes, classical landscapes or streetscapes are at home in traditional interiors and pop or graffiti art works well in industrial-chic spaces.

 

Colour

One of the first thing people notice about artworks is the colour. The key to successful styling is not to pick everything in the same colour but provide a coherent storyline to the audience. For example, if a black and white theme is selected, the interior spaces can all be white while the furniture and artworks can be predominantly black to achieve the overall intended monochromatic effect. The idea is to view the interior design as a larger canvas that has to have balance of colours and interesting details to engage the viewer meaningfully. 

Contrast of colours can also be worked to its advantage. For example, a minimalistic painting can act as visual relief and help to balance out colourful accessories and rich textures in the furniture. On the other hand, a bold and colourful painting can act as a needed focal point in a neutral or bland space. 

Scale

The scale and proportion of the artwork in relation to the space it is displayed is an important consideration .Generally, a painting should not overcrowd the wall unless it is a mural or graffiti in a public space. You should leave some empty space around the artwork to “frame” the painting and allowing the other elements of the interior like furniture and accessories their rightful attention.

A general guideline is to allow a viewer at the intended viewing point to be able to see the entire painting within his line of vision in a relaxed position. Depending on the layout of the room, the viewing point could be an entrance to the house or seated at the dining table. The idea is to allow the viewer to be able to see and appreciate the entirety of the artwork with ease and if certain details capture his attention, to move in closer to examine.

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March 14, 2017

New Paintings for 2017

We can all agree that 2016 was a turbulent year. Some of us are still grieving the departure of Carrie Fisher and David Bowie. 

With 2016 firmly behind us, we are ushering in the new year with some new exciting paintings. They include some familiar Melbourne scenes (MCG and street art) as well as a painting inspired by graffiti. We hope you like them.

If you have a favourite scene in other cities (Sydney, Brisbane) that you think will look great as a painting, we will like to hear from you.

Thank you and have a great year ahead.

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February 07, 2017

Exclusive offer to HomeStyleFile readers

We are offering attractive discount for HomeStyleFile (HSF) readers.

Check out the following HSF article and how to redeem the offer:

http://homestylefile.com.au/2016/10/25/original-art-20-off-at-creative-strokes-homestylefile-exclusive/

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October 31, 2016

Review of Creative Strokes paintings

We are excited to share with you this blog entry about Creative Strokes by Emily Osmond:

http://getinmyhome.com/2016/09/27/the-most-beautiful-abstract-art-at-creative-strokes/

"My favourite way to incorporate art is to use it to bring colour into a room, which is exactly what Creative Strokes specialises in – colour, impact and emotion. The team have been selling oil paintings since 2008 and put their success down to offering free on-site consultations and mockup services, which are priceless for helping their clients choose the perfect piece for their unique space; be it in an office or home. Creative Strokes can even customise paintings based on their clients’ design or size preferences."

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October 22, 2016

How To Choose Art Like A Pro!

Below is a post by the talented Rani Engineer at http://www.lamaisonjolie.com.au, sponsored by Creative Strokes. She has given some great tips to help you select the appropriate artwork while shopping on our website. 

 

How To Choose Art Like A Pro!

Art is an integral part of interior design. It is an ingenious way to add colour, depth, interest and panache to any interior.

A common mistake that a lot of us make is treat art like an afterthought. Instead of treating artwork as something to fill a blank wall or empty space with, it should be celebrated as the focal point in a room at par with wall colour, furniture and lighting.

[source: Creative Strokes]

When choosing art, there are a few guidelines to follow such as theme, colour, composition, scale, texture, harmony and unity and balance.


Theme

When choosing art consider the overall theme and style of your home or room.

Yes, you should buy what you love, and what speaks to you, but think about the style and design plan of the room which will to a certain extent dictate the type of artwork you choose.

The artwork should be complementary to the room design and work cohesively with the overall style of your home.

For example, abstract art looks great in modern homes, classic landscapes or family portraits complement traditional home designs and modern pop art works well in contemporary and industrial settings.

 

[Geometric]

Design tip:

When choosing to frame large size artwork in glass, choose anti-reflective glass or acrylic.

 

Colour

Art offers an instant colour palette. The size of the artwork will often dictate the colour scheme of the room, soft furnishings, decorative accents and even accessories. Picking colours from the artwork and using layers of that colour in the room creates fluidity and an overall complementary design.

Pairing a minimalist monochromatic painting with colourful accessories and rich furniture textures will make your overall design really spring to life. In contrast, a bold and vibrant painting in a neutral room will create an attractive focal point.

[Neon Abstract]

Design tip:

To make your artwork really stand out, think about installing appropriate lighting above or below it.

 

Composition

Think about the composition of the artwork and where it would fit in your home. Soothing paintings, prints and art are perfect for the bedroom whereas bright colours look great in the living or dining room.

Also think about grouping artwork to create an interesting gallery wall. Group oil paintings with posters, prints and mixed media objects to create greater impact and an unforgettable interior.

[Sydney Bronte Beach]

Design tip:

Hanging smaller pieces of art slightly off-centre adds to the fluidity of the space and creates an eclectic design.

 

Scale

The scale and proportion of the artwork is of significant importance when choosing art for your home. The appropriate scale of the painting to the size of the room creates a harmonious and overall pleasing design. For example, a low-line sofa with a large scale art hung high above it will make a room with low ceilings seem more generous. Whereas, in a large open plan room, the right sized artwork will help create a focal point and lead the eye away from the rest of the open space.

[Two horses]

Design tip:

Remember to hang your artwork at standing eye level to really appreciate it.

 

Texture

A simple room design can be instantly uplifted by the beautiful textural brush strokes of an oil painting. It appeals to our senses, both visual and tactile and also adds warmth to the room.

[Seascape Abstract]

Design tip:

Large oil paintings look beautiful framed in shadow boxes with no glass or acrylic.

 

Harmony and Unity

Art needs to complement the room design and style and create a charismatic focal point. It's purpose is to enhance, not to upstage or detract from a space. The idea here is to create a harmonious unity in the room design. In other words, all your artwork in the same space should look and feel as if they belong together. A unified design emphasises the overall theme and holds your design together both visually and conceptually.

[source: Nest series from creative artworks]

Design tip:

An oversized artwork or an interesting gallery wall will add drama and bags of visual appeal to a small room.

 

Balance

Art makes a room design look and feel complete. If you have a large wall, think about hanging art in a series of three to balance the space and maintain unity in the room design. If there is a natural focal point in the room, like a large fireplace, placing an artwork on top of it will help balance the architectural feature.

[Blue Galaxy Abstract]

Design tip:

If you are hanging artwork in the kitchen, remember to frame it behind glass or acrylic to protect it.

 

[source: Creative Strokes]

 

Following these simple guidelines will have you choosing art like a professional! However, it takes time and practice to build your confidence when picking out artwork. If you feel undecided or unsure, help is at hand in the form of free in-home consultations by Creative Strokes, an art boutique with a wide range of canvas oil paintings to suit any design, style or theme, to help you choose the right art for the right space in your home or office!

 

You can shop their original paintings online here.

 

Till next time...let art take centre stage!

xox

Rani

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October 10, 2016

Latest Release of Abstract Paintings

We have been working with our artists for a while on these two new paintings, which we are proud to present to you. They are both abstract paintings but done in completely different styles. One is a provocative piece with bright pastel colours and layers of brushwork while the other evokes serenity with a limited complementary colours of blue and gold. Which one is your favorite?

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September 29, 2016

New Oil Paintings for New Season

Spring is here in Melbourne and we hope everyone is enjoying the warmer weather. To welcome the new season, we have introduced new paintings, including original artworks such as those by the talented artist, Jian Wang. His paintings are characterized by confident brush strokes and attention to details, drawing the audience deep into the moods of the scenery. There are also other new additions in different styles to suit every taste.

 

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September 23, 2016

Introduction

It has taken us a while but we are finally taking the plunge to start blogging. Truth be told, we are more attuned to visual art than writing. However, we are passionate about our oil paintings and blogging would be a good avenue to share with you our ideas and inspirations.

If there is any particular subject you would like us to blog about, please drop us a line at info@creativestrokes.com.au.

Thank you.

Creative Strokes

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September 23, 2016