Visual Art Paper 2 (Essay) Aug./Sept. 2018

Question 2

 

  1. State two differences and one similarity between gouache and water colour.
  2. Highlight the difference between representational and non – representational art.
  3. Describe two ways in which an artist can achieve harmony in a composition.

Observation

The candidates performance for this question was average. Some candidates did not state the difference between gouache and watercolour, but were able to state the similarity. They were expected to respond to the question thus:

  1.      
    1. Differences
      • Gouache is opaque, while watercolour is transparent.
      • Gouache can be applied thickly (impasto), while watercolour can only be applied as wash.
      • Mistakes can be easily corrected when using gouache while in watercolour, correction is usually difficult.
      • In gouache, the artist has the freedom to start painting from any tone of colour. While in watercolour, the artist must paint from light to dark colours.
    2. Similarities
      • They are both water based.
      • They are both fast drying.
      • They are both water soluble.
    •  
    • Representational art is figurative/realistic art while, non representational art is non figurative/abstract art.
    • Representational art is life like artistic rendition while, non representational art does not aim at depicting any resemblance to nature.
    • In representational art, shapes and forms are recognizable while in non representational art, forms are not recognizable.
    • By the appropriate use of colours. E.g. complementary or analogous colours, tints and shades etc.
    • By applying the principles of composition e.g. balance, proportion, emphasis, contrast, rhythm, repetition, etc.
    • By integrating all components or various parts and shapes in the composition in a unified whole.