How do you 'view' paintings?

At my very small infant school we had a lesson called Picture Study. We were shown a picture and had to look at it for some time, and then describe what we’d noticed. The pictures weren’t childish ones - we had Dutch interiors (Vermeer, Pieter de Hooch), Leonardo, French Impressionists. It was art education for life, and I’m grateful for it.

I either like something or I don't but since starting to paint myself I know I'm drawn to certain colours and appreciate technique more than I did, especially an artist like Rembrandt or Turner who really understood light and shade.

I restrict my visits to galleries to one section at a time so I can give my whole concentration to a few paintings.

Sister Wendy (remember her?) is my heroine and I read her books on paintings. I don’t always agree with her, but enjoy her reflections.
She would have a print of a painting in her caravan and meditate on it for a long time before putting down her thoughts on it.

When I was an au pair in Madrid I tried to get to the Prado once a week to see if I could get something out of it. It didn't really help, although I'll never forget Goya's black splurges.

I had hated art at school and was no good at it. However if I am in a gallery or art museum I try to take an interest and can appreciate such things as composition, use of colour, perspective, etc.

What really fascinates me is the symbolism, usually religious, in Medieval and Renaissance art. This magpie, that flower, the position of the hands....

I certainly don't have any feelings when looking at a picture though.

Music, now - that can make me cry or laugh and anything in between.

Grandma70s

At my very small infant school we had a lesson called Picture Study. We were shown a picture and had to look at it for some time, and then describe what we’d noticed. The pictures weren’t childish ones - we had Dutch interiors (Vermeer, Pieter de Hooch), Leonardo, French Impressionists. It was art education for life, and I’m grateful for it.

Infant school! Most kids were munching crayons never mind appraising works of art 😂

I enjoy wandering around an art gallery and am drawn to portraits tho only want landscape and seascapes on my own walls.
Only a piece of music can make me emotional.

Grandma70s

At my very small infant school we had a lesson called Picture Study. We were shown a picture and had to look at it for some time, and then describe what we’d noticed. The pictures weren’t childish ones - we had Dutch interiors (Vermeer, Pieter de Hooch), Leonardo, French Impressionists. It was art education for life, and I’m grateful for it.

Well trained teacher then! The children learned how to look at pictures and they learned use of creative English , and use of their creating imaginations.

My reaction to paintings is a very physical one I think. I feel the effect of a colour, or a line or a texture. My own work has always been influenced by people like Graham Sutherland, Michael Ayrton and Peter Lanyon. My secret vice is the Pre Raphaelites. I just can't resist their beautiful paintings.