The earliest form of 'painting' dates to Prehistoric times. Over 32,000 years ago. Paintings have been found in caves in Europe - mainly depicting animals. Religious ceremonies or 'iconic' symbols were also painted. Representation of the human form was basic and stylised. Cave paintings have been found in all areas of the world.

Interesting to note that paintings were probably created on other natural forms - it's only because the interior 'Cave' kept the paintings intact. All other outside paintings would have eroded away.

Very rudimentary 'paint' was used and all the colours were natural minerals.. Ochre, manganese oxide, charcoal and hematite etc.

Art in early times was mainly about a 'political' or 'religious' statement.

It could also be described as 'storytelling'. Illustrating the battle or a passage from the bible. However in early times these stories were always 'based on fact' and not an imaginative form.

Today most good paintings tell a story - but often an idea from the artist.

Renassiance means 'rebirth'. This great 'Artistic Revival' began in Italy and then spread to rest of the Europe. It was a period of 'maturity' when scholars were exploring history and learning from past times. Not only art was influenced but literature, philosophy, science and religion began to change with new thinking.

Painters started to develop the form of 'perspective', 'light and shadow' and most famously by Leonardo Da Vinci - the human form. Although the human form - wealthy noblemen and kings and Queens etc had been painted up until this time - it is thought that a pinhole camera or camera obscura was used to create human form. This drawing method dates back to BC. It was DaVinci who artistically created the 'Perfect Human Form' in the 'Vitruvian Man' based on his abilities at science, mathematics and drawing.

The invention of 'printing' by the Printing Press in 1440 also meant the development of art and the mass availability of images and writing.

In the 16th century 'Oil paint' was refined. Up until this time 'egg tempera' was more widely used as a painting medium.

The use of linen canvas also became more popular - up until this time, artists were painting on panel.

The emphasis for artists at this time was 'light' and capturing 'light' in paintings.

Established by a group of French artists and the name was based on a work by Claude Monet - called 'Impression,' Sunrise'

This was major movement and a major influence on artists. The basis being painting outside to capture the light - previously every painting had been created in the Studio. It was also about 'interpretation'

The period of Impressionism started art being about THE ARTIST instead of the subject. Creativity and the freedom to explore paint and techniques gave the artist a freedom to express himself.

There are many movements in this period, Impressinism, Cubism, Fauvism, Expressionism, Abstraction.

After World War II, America took up the mantle of leaders in Art. Pop art and Andy Warhol being the most notorious.

Modern Art represents the interpretation in art of 'emotions' and 'abstraction' and new concepts.

Kandinsky - a Russian artist is generally acclaimed as the first true abstract artist. He was creating his abstract paintings in 1911.

The word 'artist' or the concept of 'art' did not exist until the Renaissance - (1300). Up until that period illustrational images were referred to as being created by 'craftsmen'.

Most illustration had a religious, political or historical purpose. Scenes of battles, great Gods, important people, religious ceremonies etc.

The representation could be created in: Mosaics, frescos, tapestries, sculpture etc or as manuscript illustrations.

All of Medieval art served a purpose. It could be called 'decorative' because it was placed on churches and used as illustration on manuscripts. Symbolic images were often used but more often patterns were created to 'enhance' the main image.

Medieval art was decorative but was mainly created to serve a purpose.

Art was also created as an illustration of social life. The most famous of 'social politic' paintings is 'A Rake's Progress' by William Hogarth. It is a series of 8 paintings that depict a man called Tom Rakewell - the son of a wealthy merchant.

Each painting tells of Tom's story as he prepares to spend his father's fortune. Tom ends up in debtor's prison - to be bailed out by a lady called Sarah Young. Then Tom decides to marry an old hag for her fortune. He gambles that away and ends up in the Bethleham Hospital madhouse (Bedlam in London)..

The first art gallery was the Louvre in 1793 in Paris. The Louvre was the home of Louis XVI who owned a great collection of art - it was when he opened up the collection for public vieiwing that the first 'Art Museum' was created..

England's first public art Gallery is the Dulwich Picture Gallery established in 1817,

Today there are great art museums and galleries in all of the major cities. Louvre - Pairs. The Guggenheim, Metropolitan Museum of Art, & MoMA - New York. Rijksmuseum - Amsterdam. National Gallery of Scotland, National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, Tate Gallery, Victoria and Albert Museum, British Museum & Dulwich Picture Gallery - London Prado Museum - Madrid.

ART GALLERIES
From exhibiting collections of art from wealthy individuals we then evolved into the commercial 'Art Gallery'. The Tate being the most famous Art Gallery in the UK - although you can see art but not buy the paintings.

Buying Paintings is now available at commercial art galleries, of which there any many in every part of the world.

We are now up to date.

What constitutes art? The Turner Prize asks that question every year.

It has been a long journey from religious, historical, political and social representationl to the excitement of 'art' today.

Everyone talked about the 'end of painting' in the 70's and 'New Media' was the buzz word. Now in the 21st century, painting and new media - photography, digital art, installation etc co-exist in harmony together.

Today it seems, we need to shock and provide mental stimulation and thought with our art but there are still many painters just having the desire to create.

'Contemporary' means of the moment and is also associated with the art sold in commercial galleries.

Art is of course, much more than painting and retains some of the earliest form - mosaics, sculpture etc.

If you want to be an artist, it is quite important to study the history of art because a good painting is not just about paint on canvas but your concepts and ideas.

Every good artist has something to say and