The document discusses several art styles including abstract, psychedelic, Art Nouveau, and contemporary art. It provides histories and key characteristics for each style. For abstract art, it notes debate around its origins and contributions from Romanticism, Impressionism, and Expressionism. Psychedelic art took inspiration from drugs and contained bright colors and patterns. Art Nouveau was based on natural forms and found inspiration in nature. Contemporary art draws from modern art movements and aims to challenge viewers through political, cultural, emotional, and social commentary. Examples of album covers demonstrating each style are also analyzed.

1. VISUAL STYLES
INVESTIGATION
By Alice Western

2. ABSTRACT“EXISTING ONLY IN THE MIND; SEPARATED FROM EMBODIMENT”
History
There is a big debate between experts about when the abstract art was born because it is difficult to
point out which individuals were the founders of this style. Art in earlier cultures was simple and
geometric for decorative purposes as well as having visual meaning. Three art styles contributed to the
development of abstract art – these were Romanticism, Impressionism and Expressionism. More artists
became independent in the 20th century – Paul Cezanne had begun as an Impressionist but his work
soon developed into Cubism through the modulated colours in flat areas. Expressionist painters
adapted their styles through bold paints and colours, distorted drawings and distortions in order to
receive emotional responses to their work. Post impressionism was practised by Paul Gauguin, Vincent
Van Gogh, Paul Cézanne had an enormous impact on 20th century art and contributed to the
development of modern art to a significant extent.
Characteristics
Abstractionists use a visual language of shape, form, colour and line to create a composition, but they do
not deal with the visual representations behind it – it is up to the viewer how the subject reality. The
following characteristics that make a piece of art abstract are:
• Using large canvases and positioning them on the floor to achieve the desired outcome
• Treating all parts of the canvas important – covering it all in paint
• Applying paint in unique ways – writing with it, thin drops, swashbuckling with paint brushes
• Representations that are presented slightly, partially and completely, depending on the art movement
e.g. realistic/figurative art is partially abstracted

3. ALT-J – ‘THIS IS ALL YOURS’
Alt-J’s album cover of ‘This is all yours’ is incredibly effective
when it comes to demonstrating the abstract style. The bright
bold colours and the shapes the brushstrokes create leaves
the viewer wondering why Alt-J choice this as a cover. Its as if
the band wanted this image to be interpreted in different
ways, thus making a reference to the album title ‘This is all
yours’ (this is all yours to interpret?). For example, there are
four psychological primary colours (red, yellow, blue and
green) that are known to relate respectively to the body, mind
and emotions. In this album cover, all 4 of these colours are
located in the center, and a purple shade is surrounding it.
Purple represents spirituality and suppressing, so this can be
interpreted as the purple strokes containing psychological
balance. Therefore, all parts of the area can be represented
as being important, as well as the paint being applied in
unique ways. For instance, linking back to the interpretation,
blue represents intelligence so its rough shape portrays the
power of the human mind. The target audience of this album
cover may be individuals who are looking for something new
to listen, something that cannot be compared to others.
Those who are into creativity may want to buy the CD as the
cover is a dramatic/bold example of abstract and

4. PSYCHEDELIC “RELATING TO OR DENOTING DRUGS
(ESPECIALLY LSD) THAT PRODUCE HALLUCINATIONS AND
APPARENT EXPANSION OF CONSCIOUSNESS.”
History
The characteristics of psychedelic art can be found in the art of 20th century Europe,
such as Art Nouveau, Vienna Secession and Surrealism. The art and design spectators in
Britain and United States in the early 1960’s were investigating op art, which exploits
principles of optics to make paintings look as though they vibrate and move. Pop art
was also popular at this time, which impacted on the development of psychedelic art.
The history of this style is extensive – it dominated graphics art for a good decade
between the 1960’s and 70’s across many countries.
Characteristics
The word “psychedelic” means “mind manifesting”, implying that all artistic efforts to
depict the inner psychological world may be considered “psychedelic”. A psychedelic
artist takes inspiration from the hallucinations induced from psychoactive drugs such
as LSD. This style of visual art normally contains bright bold colours and compacted
patterns that would enhance the altered states of notion.

5. MIKA – ‘LIFE IN CARTOON
MOTION’
The album cover of ‘Life in cartoon motion’ by MIKA is an
effective representation of psychedelic art. Although this
piece of work does not include a reoccurring pattern of thin
lines that enhance hallucinations, there is a recognisable use
of strong and bold colours that are notable to the eye, which
is a common theme found in psychedelic art. The image
features cloudy outlines and circles within larger circles –
making a reference to hallucinating, visually dreaming and
feeling relaxed whilst on psychoactive drugs. It also includes
a man sitting on a sofa relaxing, a piano and doves – all in
which are factors of tranquility and the emotion of feeling at
ease. This makes a reference to the album title ‘life in
cartoon motion’ as the cover’s content demonstrates life as
being easy. This design probably targets MIKA’s audience
fairly specifically as his musical genre is pop/glam rock/new
wave – new wave links to punk, meaning that this album
shows a theme of resilience and through the drawings on

6. ART NOUVEAU “A STYLE OF DECORATIVE ART BASED ON NATRUAL
FORMS”
History
Art Nouveau was present between 1890 and 1910 and took many different characteristics from
different cultures, meaning that artists in this era had disparate styles. In the time of
industrialised production, many artists looked at pre industrial times for a foundation of their
works, depending on where they are from. For example, Russian artists looked at folk tales and
folk history. Artists that lived in Paris, Nancy and Brussels, found greatest inspiration from the
nature’s cycles and its force.
Source: http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/history-of-art/art-nouveau.htm
Characteristics
The characteristics of Art Nouveau involve intricate
natural objects, such as flower stalks and buds, vine
tendrils, and insect wings. These attempt to display an
ornamental and rhythmic look. Art Nouveau philosophy
was in favour of applying artistic designs to everyday
objects in order to make things beautiful for everyone.
The style also attempts to combine fine art and
decorative art (practical objects) together.

7. AMORPHIS – ‘CIRCLE’
The plants surrounding and within the circle help to
create a rhythmic look, brining the style of art nouveau
into perspective. The person on the album cover is
supposed to be a spiritual and mystic guide for the
album’s protagonist, which links to art nouveau’s
characteristic of making life beautiful for everyone, and
perhaps signifying a specific culture that believes in
spirituality. Amorphis is a heavy metal band, which
contradicts to the essence of art nouveau, but the full
moon in the background, the intertwining branches and
the ghoulish looking eyes makes the cover look
preternatural and scary. In addition to this, the colours of
the art are not common shades that are found in typical
art nouveau pieces, as the hues in this piece of work are
limited and murky – lacking in life. I do not think this
style will be very useful for my print productions as art
nouveau cannot be easily demonstrated for a band that is
indie/alternative. It looks rather dated and the narrative
of my music video is very modern, so I want my album

8. CONTEMPORARY “LIVING OR OCCURING AT THE SAME
TIME”
History
Contemporary art is basically modern art, that is produced at the
present period in time. This movement develops from postmodern art,
which is the reaction against modernism. Contemporary art includes
more than 50 types of art that have been created since the end of
World War II, and an important breakthrough was when New York
replaced Paris as the centre of the art world. Artists began to change
the style they worked in to a more modern approach, for example in
the 1960’s Andy Warhol broke away from traditional art and entered
the style of Pop art. Contemporary art is very popular across collectors,
museums, galleries and public organisations, but the style is so broad
as it contains a large range of art forms, such as painting, sculpture,
media, and performances.
Characteristics
Contemporary art draws on the movements of modern art. This
includes minimalism, assemblage art, and abstract art. These styles
aim to challenge the viewer in thought – either politically, culturally,
emotionally, and socially – as art helps to demonstrate one’s own views
on issues that matter, and contemporary artists are constantly striving
to develop the ways in which their work reaches their audience.
Therefore, contemporary art involves the breakthroughs of new types
of art – many modern artists were the first to develop college art (a
variety of kinetic art), animation and earth work (e.g. 3D street art).
New techniques have also emerged, such as action painting and

9. SHURA – NOTHING’S REAL
The development of technologies through the modern era
has significantly impacted on the effectiveness of this CD
cover. Photo editing software such as photoshop was
possibly used in the making of this, as the content
involved overlapping and digital illustration. The
amalgamation of photography and illustration of the
planets/meteorite (which is exposed through the paint
streak) creates a surreal image, perhaps suggesting that
the artist is addressing both fantasy and reality through
her music (postmodern?). Additionally, the gradient of
the word ‘nothing’ resembles the actual word, as it shows
that the text is fading into nothing – this is another
editing technique that came about through modernism.
The cool colour tones resemble the artist’s genre,
electropop, as it can be soothing to listen to. The singer
is not looking towards the camera and is dressed rather
casual, portraying her delicacy and purity. Therefore, this

10. EVALUATION
In conclusion, the styles I am considering to use in my print
productions are abstract, psychedelic and contemporary. In my mind,
I am picturing my album cover and advert to look modern and edited
to a clever/artistic way. I also feel as though these are the styles that
suit to my target audience/genre the most as my productions will
attract those who listen to indie music and appreciate the concept
behind the designs. I thought the art nouveau style was fascinating to
look into because I have always been a fan of that form of art and I
was interested in how its showcased in the music industry. However, I
do not think its essence of intricate plants and objects would match
the musical temperament of my band. I think it would be really
rewarding if I included psychedelic art in my CD cover or advert as it
would definitely relate to the meaning of Tidal Wave’s lyrics.
Furthermore, I am excited to discover the ideas I come up with and
how I finalise them.