Introduction

No one taught us 'The Facts of Art' and there is good reason - no one was qualified because no one taught them!

Even today, confused judgement surrounds the subject of art - a 'modern confusion' from which, it seems, no one manages to escape.

Three or four hundred years ago it was comparatively easy to understand and judge art but today we are lost in a creative melange of talent, technique, technology, and arguable criteria when it comes to judging art.

Well-meaning art critics, art historians, philosophers and artistic sleuths, who pass on their asserted conclusions and opinions, can also serve to complicate our natural judgement, making objectivity even more difficult.

Reading this book will offer you a better perspective and will help you understand the subject perhaps for the first time - how we got here, where we are now and where we are likely to be going in the future. You will feel more comfortable in your outlook and in your general comprehension of art.

The central message contained within these pages came as such a revelation… in fact, a 'shock' to me that I simply had to share it with you… and maybe the rest of the world!

Dedicated efforts over the last decade have led me to uncover fundamental insights, and facts that remain largely unnoticed by the majority; facts never even sought or considered. And what fuelled the urgency to write a book was the realisation that, to my knowledge, none of these discoveries have previously been articulated in book form. Had someone else done so, I wouldn't have felt the need to put pen to paper... I would have bought the book!!!

Pooling together my notes, thoughts, and observations into an initial draft, I sought the opinion of a fellow writer and friend whose judgment I value highly.

It was he who urged me to also reveal something about myself, my artistic upbringing, and the influences that led to my discoveries. "Readers like to connect with the person behind the words," he said. So, after delving into a few of my life experiences, I offer to the reader an insite into how I may have inadvertantly acquired my artistic education from the 'university of life’ rather than art school or university.

In fact, I enjoyed recounting these experiences so much that the intended brief autobiography turned out somewhat lengthier than I set out to produce. So, should this personal introduction, 'One man - one life' not appeal, please feel free to skip forward to chapter 1.

Chapters 1 to 10

provide an unconventional and concise insight into the fundamental roots and history of art, as well as development curiosities, diverging from conventional teachings. It is definitely not simply a regurgitation of what has gone before.

This narrative draws substantially from original thought, offering a simplified interpretation of the art world, and one that cautions against over intellectualisation - that often clouds more than it clarifies.

Whilst reading this, you may also notice a distinct absence of academic rigour in my proposals.

Primarily, this is because I have little interest in proving each statement by cross referencing against existing claims and theories (it presents my personal take on the subject of art). Also, that many of my conclusions are diametrically opposed to much of the 'created' or even imaginary abstracts of experts making harder work than necessary of understanding this beautiful subject.

For me, getting to grips with understanding the realities of art presented an even greater difficulty than actually producing it. It certainly took a lot longer, but I hope you will enjoy sharing my thoughts and perspective.

Chapters 11 – 19

then serve as a tutorial to enable you to get better results than you ever thought possible by being made aware of the cheats, techniques and processes I have learnt over the years since my initial foray into painting.

Undoubtedly, I've encountered one significant realisation since beginning this book—an immense 'fact of art' that I initially overlooked: writing a book about art is no easy feat! Especially when you prioritise accuracy and clarity of the conveyed message.

My primary aim is to impart valuable knowledge to the reader using plain and understandable language, and my great concern is to avoid creating a book filled with superficial artistic jargon or subpar content.

For me, achieving a balance between depth and accessibility is crucial, ensuring that the book is free of artistic froth and mediocrity.

Doug Blanks

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