Iain Macarthur

In the arts, there is multiple different principles and elements used to create a successful piece of artwork, some of these are balance, movement, harmony, unity, value, texture, line, and colour. When creating art, one should always try to incorporate some of the characteristic above into their artwork.

Iain MacArthur

Surreal Portraits: Face 04

Pencil, Watercolour and Pigment Pens

Im always looking for inspiration in my artwork from a variety of artists. Im always looking for unique artwork that relates to my own in a way, or artwork that I personally feel a connection towards. Portraits are something Im always fascinated by, and how such a complex part of the body can be expressed in such a beautiful and abstract way; Iain MacArthur is an artist who is able to achieve this in his artwork. MacArthur also successfully uses the principles and elements of design in his work, that of which are stated above.

In the artwork called “Surreal Portraits: Face 04”, MacArthur develops and successfully portrays some of the principles of design. The principles balance, movement, harmony and unity all can be seen in this piece. Balance is the distribution of visual weight in the piece by successfully balancing the weight of objects, colours, texture and space in the piece. Asymmetrical balance is seen in this piece because, although the sides are different, the still are balanced in the piece. By placing the large women face on the right side, and drawing in the abstract line work coming out from the side of her face allows the piece to be balance, as nothing is “heavier” then the other. This extravagant line work ties into the principle of movement. Movement is the path the viewers eye takes through the work to focal areas. By drawing the lines coming out of her face allows movement to be created, as the viewers eyes follow the line work through out the piece. By creating sharp lines and shapes allows the eye to follow each which leads to a new element to focus on. By putting in a splash of colour that splatters off the page also creates movement, as the eye follows every drop to where is leads. Harmony and unity go hand in hand, and both are seen in MacArthur’s piece. By using similar elements through out the artwork, the graphic lines and designs that protrude from the side of the woman’s face give the piece harmony; the feeling of harmony between all parts of the work create a sense of completeness and a sense of unity.

I really enjoy this piece of artwork. MacArthur’s style has always inspired me and I love the work he’s done. I’ve researched a lot about this artists and his work is always on my mind. I enjoy that he’s taken a simple piece of artwork, a women’s face, and has made I into something thats so more complex, appealing and abstract. By doing this, to me, I like the piece so much more then I would’ve if it was just a face. I feel I can connect to this artist because his work is similar to mine in the way that its abstract and completely unique. this artist was a big inspiration in a previous project called Unravelled Thoughts. I like this piece, and other’s by him as they are very unique and abstract and appeal to me greatly.

To find other art work by Iain MacArthur, his site link is:  http://www.iainmacarthur.com/

More images I liked by him:

Surreal Portraits: Face Explosion

The Skull Mistress: Skull  & Heart