As an artist, you might wonder why studying art history is important when your focus is on creating new and original work. However, understanding the past can profoundly shape your artistic growth, inspire fresh ideas, and refine your creative approach.
At The Online College of Art and Design , we encourage our students to explore art history alongside their practical studies, as it provides a strong foundation for artistic development. Let’s explore why every artist should engage with art history!
1. Learning from the Masters
Studying great artists of the past gives you a window into the techniques, struggles, and successes that shaped their work. Whether it’s Leonardo da Vinci’s mastery of anatomy, Van Gogh’s expressive brushwork, or Picasso’s bold cubist forms, every era has something valuable to teach.
Tip: Try recreating a famous painting in your own style—it’s a great exercise to learn new techniques while making it your own!
2. Understanding Artistic Movements
Art evolves in response to culture, politics, and technology. Studying movements like Impressionism, Surrealism, and Abstract Expressionism helps you see how artists challenged norms and introduced innovative ideas.
Tip: Explore different movements to identify which styles and philosophies resonate with your own artistic vision.
3. Gaining Inspiration and Expanding Creativity
Art history exposes you to a vast range of styles, compositions, and themes. Seeing how artists throughout history have expressed emotions and ideas can spark new creative directions in your own work.
Tip: Keep a sketchbook where you jot down ideas inspired by historical artwork and explore how you can incorporate them into your own practice.
4. Developing Critical Thinking Skills
By analysing historical artworks, you train yourself to think more critically about composition, technique, and meaning. This skill is essential for evaluating your own work and pushing your creativity further.
Tip: Visit galleries and exhibitions to study real artworks in person and analyse how they make you feel.
5. Building a Stronger Artistic Identity
Understanding the past helps you define your place in the art world today. It allows you to acknowledge influences, break artistic rules with purpose, and create work that is both informed and innovative.
Tip: Reflect on how historical artists have influenced your favourite contemporary artists. This can help you form connections between past and present creative approaches.
Enhance Your Artistic Knowledge with Us!
Studying art history doesn’t mean getting stuck in the past—it’s about using knowledge to innovate and grow as an artist. At The Online College of Art and Design , our courses integrate art history with hands-on practice to help you develop a well-rounded artistic skillset.
Enrol today to take your artistic journey to the next level! Click here to explore our courses.