I frequently get asked to suggest good artist models for Fine Art / Painting students. There are thousands of inspirational historical and contemporary artists that students can learn from, and it is impossible for to list them all within one blog post, however this is a collection of some of my favourite artist models.
Have a substantial body of work (in a few cases some of the artists below do not have extensive bodies of work – but their creative and inspiring work has warranted inclusion on this list)
Explore original and/or highly personal ideas
Publish process work, such as preliminary sketches, composition plans, semi-complete artwork etc (viewing such material is highly beneficial for students)
Good artist models offer something of value to a student: ideas for composition, approach to a subject, creative use of media, or outstanding technique. It is not necessary that the artist be investigating the same subject (indeed, while this can sometimes make it easier, it can hinder originality and encourage a student to copy rather than extending their own ideas).
Each artist is accompanied by an image of their work and a link to an official website, if known. Links are also given to appropriate books (unless noted otherwise, these are books that I have used personally with my students and vouch for).
The paintings of Irish artist Francis Bacon have inspired students for decades. An investigation into the human condition, Bacon’s paintings often depict fleshy, distorted human and animal forms.
The Estate of Francis Bacon (linked to above) has a fantastic website, with a wealth of biographical information and an extensive collection of images, categorised chronologically.
Contemporary American artist Bill Barminski challenges us with quietly ominous paintings that are derived from mass media imagery. These rich and textured works provoke reaction and encourage us to think again about the everyday items that we consume.
New Zealand artist Don Binney is famous for his series of paintings and drawings of birds and landscape. Stylised, graphic paintings, Don Binney seamlessly integrates the bird with the landscape, carefully echoing shapes and balancing forms.
This charcoal drawing is one of Jim Dine’s many beautiful drawings of tools. Jim Dine draws familiar, ordinary objects and gives them a life of their own. He treats the spaces in an around the objects with as much importance as the objects themselves and juxtaposes precise form with chaotic, yet controlled application of tone.
An interview with Jim Dine is available on the Washing DC National Gallery of Art, Washington DC website.
New Zealand artist Jeffrey Harris explores human relationships and conflicting emotions within his artwork. He often depicts the fragility of families and the complex interactions between members. He creates compositions that are often fragmented with large blocks of colour and jagged lines.
This fantastic book about Jeffrey Harris (affiliate) has been of great value to my students. It is expensive, but has many large, high quality illustrations.
Depicting aerial views of urban scenes, American artist David Kapp’s often paints busy crowds of people, swirling down streets or people walking quickly through a structured, man-made environment. In thick, broad brush strokes, Kapp represents light and movement in an Impressionistic style.
Huge graffiti inspired artworks, Jose Parla’s paintings explore the dialogue of decaying walls and the marks that people leave behind. Working upon a layered ground of mixed media, Jose Parla’s paintings are energetic, chaotic and wild.
American artist Amy Pleasant explores the concept of family within her latest artworks. Her paintings capture a moment in a family’s history; a piece of frozen time salvaged from photograph albums.
Found objects, such as pieces of trash, are glued into Robert Rauschenberg’s sculptural, mixed media artworks. Rauschenberg created compositions that merged cuttings, photographs, clothing, rubbish and other found objects together.
Writhing, seething household objects are captured in this painting by New Zealand painter Sylvia Siddell. Inanimate, potentially dangerous objects – often those related to household chores – are brought to life in Siddell’s energetic paintings.
New Zealand artist John Walsh is an exceptionally skilful artist, achieving high levels of detail and realism in his work. John Walsh’s paintings explore a ‘playful interpretation’ of modern issues, with reference to mythical Maori imagery, ancestral figures and ethereal landscapes.
This painting by contemporary Chinese artist Zhang Xiaogang recently sold for $2.97 million. Zhang Xiaogang draws inspiration from old family photos and explores issues of identity, genealogy, and family. The people in his paintings are depicted with stylised features that differ only in small minute ways. Splashes of colour disturb the tension and heighten the unease in these eerily captivating works.
If you liked this collection of artists, you may be interested viewing our collection of artist line drawings. You may also enjoy our collection of 100 photography ideas and looking through the Student Art Guide Pinterest Boards for more inspirational artist works.
Amiria Gale
Amiria has been an Art & Design teacher and a Curriculum Co-ordinator for seven years, responsible for the course design and assessment of student work in two high-achieving Auckland schools. She has a Bachelor of Architectural Studies, Bachelor of Architecture (First Class Honours) and a Graduate Diploma of Teaching. Amiria is a CIE Accredited Art & Design Coursework Assessor.
JOIN OVER 21,000 PEOPLE WHO RECEIVE OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
You will be notified first when free resources are available:
Art project ideas, teaching handouts, printable lesson plans, tips and advice from experienced teachers. What are you waiting for?
We send emails monthly. And don’t worry, we hate spam too! Unsubscribe at any time.
