The pop art movement is a fun and exciting genre to explore. This genre is in turn whimsical and thought-provoking, evoking emotions that range from sentiment to outrage. If you're new to the pop art movement, you will want to visit art galleries featuring pop art portraits and paintings for inspiration before you take on an art project of your own.
Defining Pop Art
You've probably seen pop art before, whether you realize it or not. Have you ever seen plaques depicting a stereotypical women from the 1950's, smiling that perfect smile, with a bubble above her hear saying something sarcastic or ironic? Ever stopped to admire a print of a Coca Cola symbol or a collage of patriotic images? Chances are you were checking out pop art without even knowing it.
When looking for classic pop art paintings, prints, sculptures and mixed media pieces, you'll want to look for the following names: Richard Hamilton, Jasper Johns, Roy Lichtenstein, Eduardo Paolozzi, Robert Rauschenberg, Andy Wharhol and George Segal. All of these artists are considered formative artists for the pop art genre. Look for art galleries featuring the work of these artists and research online for examples of their work.
Make Your Own Pop Art
If you want to try creating pop art yourself, try this fun project:
Decide upon a theme. Is there a message you want to convey through your art? Do you want to evoke feelings of nostalgia or appreciation, or do you want to shock and disturb your viewer?
Once you've decided on a theme, you'll want to start watching out for items you can use in your art project. Start by collecting interesting photographs or magazine clippings of people and consumer products you think are representative of the times. Look for product symbols and brand icons or pictures of celebrities.
Once you have a generous collection of material, spend some time creating. Let your imagination run wild. Do you want to create a three-dimensional collage? Would you rather stick a picture of a political figure into an ad for a prescription medicine? Does a collection of soda ads catch your attention? Feel free to mix mediums, meaning you can paint and glue images and add three-dimensional objects like knick-knacks or trinkets. Feel free to explore the kitschy side of our culture as you create your own personal piece of pop art.
 | While some argue that the early history of pop art was a rebellion against abstract art, others believe that pop artists merely extended the possibilities of abstract images. |
 | Are you intrigued by pop art? Have you considered creating your own pop art images? Learn the elements of pop art and try applying them to your own artwork. |
Learn about some famous pop art artists who helped to define the genre. |
Want to know more about pop art images? Learn the history of pop art and the pop art movement and discover the influential pop art artists. |
