What is fine art? The answer to that question has changed throughout the centuries. It is a fluid answer, and not all art specialists will agree. In general, however, fine art is an art whose primary value is aesthetic or intellectual. In other words, it is not mainly utilitarian.

Fine art encompasses a number of different activities such as drawing, painting, sculpture, and likely architecture and photography, depending upon who is asked. Some will claim that art produced upon commission is not fine art, but many famous painters of the past, including Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, worked on commission, and their art is firmly considered to be fine art.

Before the Renaissance, fine artists were considered skilled workers and nothing more. However, during the Renaissance, that began to change, and their status was elevated.

What is considered fine art changes as artists develop new methods and as technology changes. Because of this, there is no one set definition of fine art that can survive all the centuries. However, people often consider fine art to be ''art for art's sake.'' In other words, the art is valued for something beyond its usefulness.

There is a difference in the classification of art between fine art and decorative arts and crafts. One of the primary ways people differentiate between the two is based on the ultimate purpose of the piece produced. If the art will be used, it is often considered decorative art or a craft.

Decorative Arts vs. Fine Art

Fine art is often considered to be high art. Decorative arts, on the other hand, are regarded as low art.

Art produced purely for its aesthetic or intellectual appeal is generally considered fine art. Art with a utilitarian purpose is considered a craft or decorative art.

Painting is almost always considered fine art as it does not serve another purpose as a woven rug would. Ceramics, on the other hand, can be viewed as a decorative art because the end product is often utilitarian.

Great skill may be required of both the artist and the artisan. Because of this, sometimes people will claim that a piece of decorative art might rise to the level of fine art.

Another factor that often sets fine art apart is that it is usually one of a kind. This makes the art more valuable.

As mentioned above, painting and sculpture are almost always considered fine art. Examples of decorative arts and crafts are ceramics, weaving, and glass.

Fine Art

Have you ever wanted to create something to express yourself? If so, you were exploring a fundamental idea connected to fine art. Definitions can be slippery, but in basic terms, fine art is something created for aesthetic or intellectual value rather than utilitarian or practical purpose.

Fine art involves creative expression, and it doesn't have to be beautiful. It might convey an idea or an emotion or explore social commentary. The concept of ''art for art's sake,'' originated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with the rise of abstract art - art that exists for its own purpose.

Perceptions of Fine Art

Some people argue that anything made on commission or for a client isn't fine art, but the nature of art and artists has changed over time. Famous artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo were commissioned, and few people would argue that the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel isn't fine art.

Additionally, there's long been a perceived difference between fine art and decorative arts or crafts, like glass, ceramics, and textiles, that have a utilitarian or applied purpose. Decorative arts and crafts tend to be functional. However aesthetically striking a finely woven Persian carpet might be, it serves a basic purpose as a floor covering.

The definition of fine art has broadened and changed throughout the 20th and 21st centuries with the development of new mediums like photography and digital formats. Who knows what new mediums will be used to create fine art in the future.

2-D Fine Art

Some fine art is two-dimensional. The most basic is drawing, or the idea of using a tool like a pencil, pen, or charcoal to create lines or shadows, a practice fundamental to many other kinds of fine art. Another type of two-dimensional fine art is painting, which includes mediums like watercolor, oil, and acrylics. A painting may be created on a wooden panel, a canvas, or almost any other surface.

Other types of two-dimensional fine art may involve processes that create more than one image. Printmaking involves the use of an etching, engraving, or screen-printing to transfer an image from one surface to another, usually in very high quality and limited quantities to qualify as fine art.

Decorative painting: learn about its advantages, types, and fields of application

Painting, as a decorative medium, is an art form that has been with us since ancient times, even before the Roman Empire or Ancient Greece. We go back to cavemen, who, using different materials extracted from nature: fruits, clay, blood, etc., could create different paintings and tones with the intention of projecting it onto a surface and having it imprinted.

At that historical moment, its use was varied, largely based on their beliefs and the world that surrounded them. But as time passed, painting evolved, as did the ways it was used. It was at this point that decorative painting was born, the art of coloring any surface with the purpose of making it look more attractive.

Nowadays, decorative painting is a design technique mainly used in interior design, being one of the main protagonists in the renovation of spaces such as kitchens, living rooms, bathrooms, bedrooms, and much more. There are different types and their properties and purpose of use change based on these types.

In this article, we will delve deep into the subject of decorative painting and explain its many advantages, as well as the various types and uses this successful material can have.

What is decorative painting? The professionals' solution

Thedecorative paintingis a material that has become a great success in the world of interior design. It is a very versatile technique that allows decorators and interior designers to create a wide variety of effects on the walls of homes.

Decorative painting, also known as mural painting, is one of the most used techniques when decorating a space. It is a specialized paint that is applied on smooth and dry surfaces such as walls, doors, coverings, kitchen and bathroom furniture, and is usually composed of a 100% acrylic resin base.

It can be used to create a unique and personalized environment in any room. It allows experimenting with a wide variety of colors, textures, and patterns. It is a very economical and easy-to-apply technique, which is why it is increasingly used by interior decorators.

Advantages of using decorative painting: guaranteed success

Decorative painting offers some general benefits that make it really useful, but also, depending on the type of paint you choose its advantages can vary significantly. Next, we will talk about its most outstanding qualities, which have made decorative painting one of the main alternatives in interior decoration.

Variety and decorative versatility

From a matte finish to a glossy one, through an aged or metallic effect, decorative painting allows you to achieve the desired look for any space.

Furthermore, decorative painting is a very versatile material, which can be applied on walls, furniture, and decorative objects. Thus, we can paint a wall a bright color to create a focal point, or we can opt for a more neutral decorative paint to give the space a sense of spaciousness. In any case, decorative painting is a very versatile and easy-to-apply material, which allows achieving a completely personalized decoration.

Its installation is quick and easy

As it can be applied directly onto the surface to be painted, it does not require any special preparation or tools, making it ideal for those who may not have much time or do not know how to do this kind of work. In addition, decorative paint offers a wide variety of colors and textures, so it can adapt to any style or taste.

Provides greater protection to the surface

This is because it is a harder material and more resistant to weather and climate conditions. Decorative paint is also more resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage, making the covered surface with it have better resistance. Nevertheless, this is a property that varies depending on the paint, as there are some that are better suited for outdoors and vice versa.

Waterproof and slip-resistant

A product that offers surprising water resistance, making it an excellent choice for applications in high humidity areas. This is because the paint is composed of a blend of synthetic resins and pigments that form a protective layer on the surface being painted, making it more waterproof and achieving a wonderful slip-resistant finish.

Enjoys a prolonged lifespan

If its installation has been done correctly, decorative paint is a material that will require almost no attention in its maintenance, offering great properties that give it a long lifespan.

Places where decorative paint can be applied

Decorative paint is an incredible way to personalize your home space and give it a unique touch. It doesn't matter if you're an expert artist or a beginner, with a little imagination and creativity, you can transform any room into a work of art.

Next, we will mention some of the most recommended places to apply decorative paint in your home:

Walls

Walls are the perfect surface to apply decorative paint. You can choose one wall as the focal point of the room and decorate it to your liking. If you want to create different drawings or more advanced designs you can use stencils or templates to help you create them.

Furniture

Want to add a unique touch to your furniture? Decorative painting is the perfect solution. You can paint your furniture any color or design that comes to your mind. If you want a more vintage look, you can say goodbye to plain paint and opt for patterns or shabby chic designs. You can paint your doors, windows, moldings or countertops, as well as customize your lamps to give them a unique touch.

Floors

Floors are another great place to apply decorative paint. You can paint your pavements in a striking color or use stencils to create unique designs. If you want something more durable, you can opt for epoxy paint, which is ideal for concrete or wood floors.

In summary, decorative painting is an excellent way to personalize your home's space. There are many places where you can apply it, so let your imagination run wild and create!

How to choose decorative paint: factors to consider

One thing that is not taken into account and is a fundamental part of the process is the choice of the product. A vital step that will greatly determine the success of the results. Therefore, below, we will show you what factors to consider to make a satisfactory choice.

Choose a decorative paint based on the support

As we have explained before. Each decorative paint is an expert in decorating certain finishes, so make sure first of all that it is what you want to renovate and based on that choose a specific decorative paint.

Walkable or non-walkable

For example, transient surfaces are those that are used frequently and where activities such as walking, sitting or leaving objects are carried out. For this reason, it is important to choose a decorative paint that is resistant to use and dirt, as otherwise there is a risk that it will easily get damaged. As for non-transient surfaces, they do not require as resistant paint.

Decorative paint for exterior or interior

Decorative paint can be used on a variety of surfaces, from walls and ceilings, to furniture and decorative objects. However, it is important to consider the intended use of the paint before selecting the appropriate product.

If the paint is going to be used in an outdoor area, it is necessary to choose a product that is resistant to the elements, such as rain, sun, wind, and sudden changes in temperature. Outdoor products tend to be made of more durable materials and have a more resistant finish.

If the paint is going to be used in an indoor area, you can possibly use a lighter product with a softer finish.

Consider the quality of the paint

Decorating any space at a low cost may be attractive, but keep in mind that whatever is cut now comes back in the future. It is important that you wisely choose a quality decorative paint, in such a way that you have a durable surface that looks unusually beautiful.

Cada pintura decorativa te garantiza un acabado

It is paramount to consider the type of finish you desire. Do you want a glossy or matte finish? How about a metallic finish? Consider the type of paint that best suits your decorating style. After selecting the type of finish, choose the color or colors you want to use. Make sure the color fits well with the environment.

Types of decorative paints, which one is yours?

One of the qualities of decorative paints is their wide availability, with a high variety of types effectively meeting each of the demands and needs of the user. We present you the most outstanding decorative paints, as well as their properties and application places.

Plastic or latex paint

We present a paint designed to be used especially on interior walls, and in some cases, depending on its composition, it can even be used on exterior walls.

A water-based paint and, therefore, also has a high resistance to it. Its method of application is very intuitive, plus, its drying time is really quick and it can be washed afterwards without any problem. It is recommended to avoid its use on untreated wooden surfaces.

This paint is divided into acrylic and vinyl paint, which we will describe below:

Acrylic paint

A high-performance product that gives us great resistance on both interior and exterior surfaces, with excellent waterproofing, resistance to UV rays and mold.

Vinyl paint

One of the remarkable features of vinyl paint is its great versatility that allows it to adapt to almost any support and offer varied results.

Metallic paint rust effect

A particular paint with which to achieve exclusive finishes with a rust effect. The perfect product to generate warm surfaces with a vintage and industrial look. At MyRevest we have MyOxid, the professional use metallic rust effect paint with which to achieve quality results.

Synthetic enamel paint

Paint that offers longer lasting results thanks to its composition made from solvent-based synthetic resins. It provides smoother finishes, can be used on both wooden and metal walls and ensures a high resistance to moisture that allows it to be used both outdoors and indoors. Its drying time is extended and should be used with caution to avoid dizziness from the gases emitted by the paint.

Acrylic enamel paint

Unlike the previous product, in this case there is no need to be so cautious in its use as it is a paint composed of acrylic resins, catalysts and pigments, which makes it completely soluble in water and odorless. Its main function is as decorative paint.

Primer paints

A paint that works as a coating prior to decorative paint, in order to provide the product with a higher adherence, which allows to consolidate the support and provide balance. In this way, it is achieved minimize imperfections and reduce the amount of product used, making it more efficient.

Varnishes

Varnishes are often composed, generally, based on polyurethane and are used to protect the shine and color of the paint. A fantastic product that achieves better resistance to the surface and gives it a longer useful life. At MyRevest we have our range of MySealant varnishes, which we offer in various types ensuring the perfect product for every situation.

Mineral or silicate paint

A decorative paint that is made to effectively respond to those walls that have moisture problems, giving them a greater coverage and waterproofing power.

It is a paint in which is composed of mineral pigments, as well as insoluble silicates. It bears a resemblance to lime paint, however, its quality is superior, guaranteeing better resistance. It is considered eco-friendly paint as it is composed of renewable raw materials.

Find exclusive and high-performance paints with MyRevest