After spending the last couple of weeks working on our AMO Art Chat radio show with artist
Juliette Aristides, who paints in the classical realism genre, my eyes were opened to what
artists can learn from other artists who may have different approaches to painting and the
style of their work. Being a representational painter, I thought that Juliette’s approach would
be quite different and the information would not be very useful to me in my work. I could not
have been any more wrong!

Juliette pointed out that drawing is one of the essential elements that a painter must master before
learning about value and then color. The basic principles are the same for all artists, regardless
of their individual voice as an artist. Even though contemporary artists and past masters may
have different styles, the bones of good artwork are the same. All artists must learn to “see as
artists”, no matter their genre. The past masters spent a great deal of time studying drawing,
composition, the principles of good design, value and color. Each artist, regardless of their
style of painting, needs to learn to have discipline required to master techniques. When asked
about influences in her work pertaining to color, Juliette said that one of the many approaches
she uses, subdued colors with a pop or two of color in a key area, came from her study of
the impressionists who used this same technique of key color notes. Juliette has beautifully
incorporated the influences of many different genres to find her unique voice and every artist
can learn from her example.

All artists need to open their minds to other genres of art and realize they may learn as much or
more from artists who have a different viewpoint. Bringing many different influences together
will enable an artist express their own unique voice.