The principles apply to all kinds of art, regardless of the genre. The Art2life principles in general, are all about understanding differences and leveraging them in your art to make it more potent and more aligned with how you want it to look and feel. The principles, these ideas of enhancing differences, apply to all kinds of creative expression whether it is abstract art, realistic painting, drawing, photography, sculpture or even writing and music. The principles provide us with a way of talking about, enhancing and understanding our art better. I teach by using abstract shapes but the principles still apply to realistic art, landscapes, portraits, sculpture, jewelry, architecture, landscape design, music... and on and on.

For many artists learning these principles for the first time, it may be helpful to put aside representational imagery and work with abstract shapes and marks as they are often quicker and easier to make. But once you understand these principles, you can apply them to representational art or any kind of art you desire to make.

Below is an example of how the Art2life Principle of Design and Value is being used in this artist’s representational art.

Sargent