Simplistic Substance: A Minimalistic Approach to Your Art Pieces

Working with minimalist styles on canvas or in your art journal doesn't mean the work isn't finished. I've talked to many artists over the years and, more often than not, I've heard them talking about the need to fill the space. It seems to be the consensus that there's "not enough" going on in the work if the artist decides to take a simplistic approach.

First, let's define minimalism: [excerpted from Wikipedia.com]

"Minimalism describes movements in various forms of art and design, especially visual art and music, where the work is stripped down to its most fundamental features and core self expression. In other fields of art it has been used to describe the plays of Samuel Beckett, the films of Robert Bresson, the editing and stories of Gordon Lish and the stories of Raymond Carver, and even the automobile designs of Colin Chapman.

The term "minimalist" can also refer to anything which is spare, stripped to its essentials, or providing only the outline of structure, independent of the particular art movement, and "minimalism" the tendency to reduce to fundamentals. It is sometimes applied to groups or individuals practicing asceticism and the reduction of physical possessions and needs to a minimum."

What does it mean to be stripped down to the most fundamental features, though? How do you know the work is really "finished?" Each artist has their own vision when it comes to the work they're trying to accomplish. Where the inspiration stems from or the specific purpose behind the work is established will determine how the piece should be approached.

Why do artists feel this is an important approach to their pieces?

Some artists feel the need to take a minimalist approach for various reasons (while others have always worked in this way). It could be anything from the need to challenge themselves to something new, to feeling as though they need to make a bold statement. Again, this is all entirely within the artist.

What if the ideas keep pouring in when the work is started?

If you're firm in your decision to work in this fashion, try splitting your "overflow" of ideas into several different pieces. If you feel like your work is heading in a different direction, then work in that direction using several different pieces of canvas, paper or pages in your art journal. You might find each piece are very similar to each other, though you might also find each piece has nothing to do with each other. There's no right or wrong here, just go with the flow so your work isn't stifled.

Don't be confused: being a minimalist doesn't necessarily mean keeping the majority of your surface white.

Some minimalists choose to color their entire surface with a solid color, then add a few details here and there. Some choose to create several different sketches and add a few patches of color here and there. While others, still, choose to cover their entire surface with a very simplistic pattern. How each artist approaches their definition of minimalism is as different as each piece produced. They each hold one underlying commonality, though, in the fact that the work is produced with a minimum amount of details.

I've included some very informative links (definitions, artists, art work) at the end of this article for further exploration into this topic.