What do you expect from a painting you see: perfect technique or strong emotions?

[Monika Macken]

When I look at a painting, the first thing I expect is an emotion, somthing that's moving me, an image I can remember. Are you like me? Or do you appreciate a perfect technique more than emotions?

[Paul Freidin]

Strong emotion. Technique is learned. Emotion is either there or not.

[Monika Macken]

I agree with you, Paul. For me , emotion is everything...

[Michael cash(Mica)]

I agree also, emotional content is paramount, if that passes the test then i look at construction.

[Poh Lai LIM]

The frist thing I expect when looking at a painting is Surprise or extra-ordinary. I think we all have different degree of expectation and degree of perception and excution of works. Original paintings are unique and every piece is different, with a trained eye, a painting can strike me on first glance through its composition, colour(s), shapes, idea, sense of mystery, etc to draw me to have a second or closer look.

Not all paintings move the viewers, some may move certain viewer but not others, it has something to do with viewers' background and subject matter to have the emotion attachment or memory. Of course, some paintings would shock or scare or confront or provoke the viewers apart from evoking them.

A perfect technique, are you referring to artists like Leonardo Da Vinci who is known as a precision and sciencitific artist, whereas Michaelangelo's works seem more artistic. I think it all depends on what is the intent the artist trying to portray, if wihout carrying out a right technique, be it perfect or non-perfect technique, it is unlikely to convey the idea, message, show its emotion, and subject of the work well.

Appreciating works of art should have more than emotion and technique. Perhaps, is your turn to tell me whether I am like you or not.

Cheers,
Poh Lai

[Brajanne]

An artwork has to touch me in my deepest core, so that an exhange, a silent communication starts. It's a loveaffair.
I can appreciate a perfect technique, I can even study it a while but if it is only that the whole happening stays on surface.

[phil taylor]

Hi Monika. New member here.
I (and my wife) are actually collectors of fine art - not artists per se.
For us, everything is important. We look for mastery of the artists chosen medium. Technique allows for the fullest possible expression. This is the same as a musician mastering his/her instrument.
At that point, they can make great music with it (if they also have soul).
Of course we also look for a strong, personal, positve artistic vision when considering art to buy. The work must be unmistakeably his or hers. Then we have to love a work of art on a purely subjective level. This cannot be explained further. And on a more mundane note, we have to be able to afford it.

[Poem Painting]

Monika, I agree with you. As an artist, emotion is the most important! It is a nice topic.