Unconventional Colours and Materials: A Means to an End in Contemporary Paintings

Abstract

Contemporary paintings have no boundary or limitations as to what colours or materials that can be used in the creative process to achieve a painting. What matters the most is the end that will be achieve in the final process and the artistic fulfillment of the painter or artist at the end of the day. Different media ranging from gouache, water colour, acrylics and oil have been used in painting by different artists as well as different supports (the surface on which a painter does his painting) such as oak wood, paper, boards, cloth materials, canvas and even glass. It is noteworthy that materials hitherto not meant for art production has been used severally in the production of art works in the visual arts. This tends to lend more credence to the functionality and action ability of such materials. For instance, materials which originally were serving non aesthetic purpose or functions are therefore, taken from their original context and incorporated into the art making process. The ability of an artist to see art materials as a vehicle through which he/she can expresses himself or herself, would help create room to diversify as well as source for other materials to achieve his or her aim. This paper therefore aims at helping the artists, especially the painter, see colours and materials as a means to an end and not an end in itself.