The places where artists live and work can become an important influence on their creative practice. Landscape, architecture, local materials, cultural traditions and natural light can all become part of the visual language that develops within an artist’s work.

Coastal environments provide a clear example. The colours of the sea and sky, weathered materials and distinctive Mediterranean or Atlantic light can influence painters, photographers and other creators. In cities and rural areas, architecture, local crafts, textiles and everyday surroundings can provide a different set of references.

Place can also influence the way creative work connects with local identity. Materials, techniques, colours and subjects associated with a particular region can be interpreted in contemporary ways, allowing cultural influences to remain visible without simply reproducing tradition.

Visiting artists’ studios, local workshops and cultural spaces can therefore reveal another side of a destination. They show how landscape and heritage continue to influence what is being created there today.

When Place Shapes Identity

The relationship between place and identity can also influence how we experience a destination. In Serbia, local culture, traditions and heritage are helping shape a contemporary approach to European travel.

Discover Serbia Uncovered – A New Narrative for European Travel in our first edition →

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The Eyes in Portrait Art

The eyes are one of the most expressive elements in portrait art. Artists use gaze, colour, light and composition to direct attention and influence how a portrait is perceived. Even when much of the face is hidden, the eyes can become the central focus of the work.

Throughout different forms of portraiture, the direction of the gaze can change the relationship between the artwork and the viewer. A direct gaze can create a strong sense of presence, while looking away can introduce distance or draw attention to something beyond the composition.

Contemporary artists continue to explore the expressive possibilities of the eyes through painting, illustration, photography and mixed media. By isolating or emphasising them, an artist can create a visually powerful portrait without revealing every element of the subject.

Interested in discovering how portraiture connects with contemporary art in Marrakech?
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Visual Language in Art

A visual language is the combination of elements an artist uses to communicate ideas and make their work recognisable. Colour, form, composition, texture, materials and recurring subjects can all contribute to the way an artist develops a distinctive body of work.

Unlike a trend or temporary style, visual language develops through repeated creative choices. An artist may return to particular colours, techniques or forms while continuing to experiment and evolve. These recurring elements can create consistency between individual works without requiring every piece to look the same.

Visual language also extends across creative disciplines. Painters, photographers, illustrators, fashion designers and architects all make decisions that influence how their work is recognised and interpreted. Understanding these choices provides another way to look at creative work beyond its immediate aesthetic.

How does visual language translate into interiors and design?
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The Creative Value of Making Mistakes

Making mistakes is an essential part of the creative process. Artists often discover new ideas through experimentation, unexpected results and techniques that do not work as originally planned. What begins as an error can lead to a different direction, a new method or even a distinctive artistic style.

Creative work rarely develops in a straight line. Painting, photography, sculpture, design and other disciplines involve testing materials, changing compositions and reconsidering earlier decisions. This process allows artists to understand their medium while gradually developing their own visual language.

The willingness to experiment also plays an important role in contemporary creative practice. Instead of focusing only on a perfect final result, many artists value the process of making, observing and adjusting. Mistakes become part of that process and can create possibilities that would not have emerged through careful planning alone.

What else shapes an artist’s work over time?
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The Visual Power of Stripes

Stripes are one of the simplest patterns in visual culture, yet they can have a surprisingly strong effect on how we perceive shape and movement. Changes in width, direction and contrast can make a surface appear longer, wider, curved or even in motion.

Artists and designers have repeatedly explored this optical quality. Black and white creates particularly strong contrast, allowing stripes to define form without relying on colour. The pattern appears across painting, graphic design, photography, fashion and interiors, where it can become either a background element or the main visual subject.

Nature provides its own examples. The distinctive pattern of a zebra demonstrates how repetition can completely define the appearance of a form. By studying patterns found in the natural world, artists and designers continue to find ideas that can be translated into new visual compositions.

Inspired by the visual power of stripes?
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Artists can turn an ordinary place into an interesting subject simply by changing the way it is observed and represented. A window, an empty room, a street corner or a familiar landscape can become the starting point for painting, photography or illustration.

Composition plays an important role in this process. Framing a view through a doorway or window can isolate part of a landscape and direct attention towards details that might otherwise go unnoticed. Light, colour and the position of a person or object within the scene can further change how the place is perceived.

This is one reason artists do not necessarily need remarkable surroundings to create interesting work. Everyday environments provide subjects, textures and compositions that can be interpreted in many different ways. The creative element lies in deciding what to show and how to show it.

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The Institut Valencià d’Art Modern (IVAM) is one of Valencia’s key institutions for modern and contemporary art. Its collection focuses particularly on twentieth-century art while its temporary exhibitions introduce contemporary artists and different approaches to photography, sculpture, painting and conceptual art.

The museum holds an important collection of works by Spanish sculptor Julio González, whose experiments with iron played a significant role in the development of modern sculpture. His work forms one of the foundations of IVAM’s collection alongside works by other Spanish and international artists.

Photography is another important part of the museum’s programme. Exhibitions explore how artists have used the medium for documentation, experimentation and artistic expression while temporary shows regularly introduce new perspectives on contemporary culture.

IVAM is also worth visiting for its role within Valencia itself. Located close to the historic centre, the museum adds a contemporary cultural dimension to a city better known for its architecture, food and Mediterranean character. Talks, research projects and public programmes extend its activities beyond the exhibition spaces.

Inspired to discover more of Valencia?
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The value of an artwork is not determined solely by the time required to create it. Behind a finished work are years of observation, experimentation, technical development and creative decisions that shape an artist’s individual perspective.

Technique remains an important part of artistic practice, but skill alone does not define an artist’s work. The way a subject is interpreted, materials are used and ideas are translated into visual form can give a work its distinctive character.

This is also why two artists working with the same materials can produce completely different results. Their experiences, influences and creative choices become part of the work. Artistic value therefore extends beyond the physical process of making and includes the vision that an artist has developed over time.

How do cultural influences and materials shape a designer’s work?
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Brigitte Bardot: A Cultural Icon

Brigitte Bardot became one of the most recognisable figures of French cinema and popular culture during the 1950s and 1960s. Her films, photography and distinctive personal style helped create an image that became closely associated with a changing generation in France.

Her influence extended beyond cinema. Photographers, fashion designers, artists and magazines repeatedly interpreted her image, contributing to a visual identity that remains recognisable decades later. From her hairstyles and clothing to the photographs taken along the French Riviera, Bardot became part of the visual culture of her era.

Her connection with Saint-Tropez also contributed to the international image of the Mediterranean town. Cinema, photography and fashion transformed it into a cultural reference that continues to influence how the destination is represented today.

Want to discover how Bardot helped shape the image of Saint-Tropez?
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Vienna brings together grand architecture, a strong musical tradition and one of Europe’s most recognisable coffeehouse cultures.

Historic cafés remain an important part of daily life in the city. Coffee is served at marble tables in interiors that have changed remarkably little over the years, while traditional pastries and afternoon tea continue to be part of the experience.

Music is equally closely connected to Vienna. Mozart, Beethoven, Strauss and Mahler all helped shape its cultural identity. Today, places such as the Vienna State Opera and the Musikverein continue that tradition alongside smaller concert halls and contemporary performances.

The city’s imperial past is still visible throughout the centre. The Hofburg, Schönbrunn Palace and the architecture along the Ringstrasse give Vienna its distinctive character, while restaurants, cafés, galleries and cultural institutions make these historic surroundings part of a modern city.

Food is another reason to explore Vienna. Traditional Austrian dishes sit alongside a sophisticated restaurant scene, with everything from historic dining rooms to Michelin-starred restaurants.

Discover More of Vienna

Explore Vienna through its coffeehouse culture, imperial architecture, musical heritage and dining scene in the first edition of Les Couleurs du Monde Magazine.

Read Music, Coffee & Imperial Charm in Vienna →

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Costume plays an important role in the visual identity of a performance. In dance, theatre, cabaret and live events, clothing becomes part of how an idea, character or atmosphere is communicated to an audience.

Colour, silhouette, texture and movement all influence how a costume works on stage. A piece needs to look convincing from a distance while allowing the performer to move freely and interact with the setting.

Costume also connects different creative disciplines. Choreography, music, lighting, scenography and styling come together to create the complete experience. The strongest costumes therefore work as part of the performance rather than as separate fashion pieces.

This becomes particularly visible in large-scale events, where performers, costumes and entertainment are developed around one visual concept. Mouv’Event, featured in our second edition, shows how artistic direction can bring these different elements together.

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Thomas Hubener brings together physical performance, film and visual storytelling in work shaped by movement and travel.

His background as a professional acrobat with Cirque du Soleil remains visible in the way he approaches images. The body, its movement and its relationship with a location frequently become part of the composition, from diving and acrobatics to quieter moments in natural surroundings.

After working internationally as a performer, Hubener expanded into film and creative direction. His projects now move between sport, travel and lifestyle, using both photography and moving image to explore different ways of translating movement into a visual story.

Water and open landscapes appear regularly in his work, creating settings where physical precision and the surrounding environment can be captured together. This combination gives his work a recognisable visual identity across different locations and formats.

Discover More of His Work

See more of Thomas Hubener’s photography, film and creative work in his feature in Les Couleurs du Monde Magazine.

Discover Thomas Hubener in our first edition →

Thomas Hubener at Milano Cortina 2026
Discover more about Thomas Hubener and his work behind the Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony in our second edition.

Read the full feature in our second edition →

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Old industrial buildings and objects can take on a completely different identity when their original character becomes part of a new design. Brick walls, exposed structures, machinery, metal and other traces of production are increasingly incorporated into interiors, furniture and creative projects instead of being completely removed.

The contrast is part of what makes these projects interesting. Historic materials can sit alongside contemporary furniture, lighting and textiles, while an object originally designed for a practical purpose can become something decorative or unexpected.

This approach can be seen particularly clearly in converted industrial buildings. Former mills, factories and warehouses are now used as hotels, restaurants, galleries and homes. Their proportions and original materials give new interiors a character that would be difficult to recreate in a newly built space.

The same idea can be applied on a smaller scale. Designers frequently reinterpret familiar objects through different materials, patterns and finishes. The original form remains recognisable, but its function or visual identity changes.

Instead of separating old and new, contemporary design can use the existing character of a building or object as its starting point.

Old buildings can become the starting point for new design.
Discover the transformation of Ghent River Hotel in our third edition →

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Surrealism in Contemporary Art

Surrealism uses unexpected combinations, altered proportions and dreamlike situations to create images that move beyond everyday reality. Although the movement developed in the early twentieth century, its visual language continues to influence contemporary artists, photographers and image makers.

By placing familiar objects in unfamiliar situations, artists can challenge the way viewers interpret an image. Scale, perspective and unusual combinations can turn recognisable subjects into compositions that feel imaginative or deliberately impossible.

Contemporary visual culture continues to reinterpret these principles through photography, digital art, collage, illustration and other forms of image making. New creative tools have expanded the possibilities further, but the central idea remains similar: using imagination to construct a visual world that could not exist in ordinary life.

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Texture can give a portrait depth, character and a stronger sense of materiality. Instead of creating a perfectly smooth representation of the face, artists can use visible brushstrokes, layered paint and irregular surfaces as part of the composition.

Different techniques produce different visual effects. Thick applications of paint can create physical relief, while scraping, layering and partially removing pigment can reveal traces of the artistic process. These marks become part of the finished portrait rather than something that needs to be concealed.

In contemporary portraiture, texture can also change how we perceive familiar features. Skin, hair and facial details can become areas of abstraction, bringing figurative painting and more experimental forms of artistic expression together within a single work.

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Fashion illustration translates an idea for a garment into a visual concept before it becomes a finished piece. Through drawing, designers and illustrators explore silhouette, proportion, movement, fabrics and details while developing the direction of a collection.

Unlike technical drawings, fashion illustrations do not always need to represent every construction detail precisely. Lines can be expressive, proportions exaggerated and fabrics suggested through colour, shading or texture. This gives each illustrator the opportunity to develop an individual drawing style.

Although digital tools have become an important part of contemporary fashion design, hand-drawn sketches remain valuable throughout the creative process. They provide a direct way to explore ideas and also exist as a creative discipline in their own right, connecting fashion with drawing and visual art.

Looking for more evening fashion inspiration?
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Fashion photography is not only about documenting clothing. It uses location, composition, styling and atmosphere to create a visual narrative around fashion. The setting can be as important as the clothes themselves, giving an image context and helping define its character.

Photographers often use unexpected locations to create contrast. A carefully styled garment photographed in an everyday, industrial or roadside environment can produce a completely different visual effect than the same piece photographed in a traditional studio.

Fashion photography therefore brings several creative disciplines together. Photography, styling, fashion design, art direction and location all contribute to the final image. The result can communicate much more than the individual garment and become a recognisable creative work in itself.

Want to explore another perspective on fashion photography?
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Black and White Photography

Black and white photography removes colour from an image and places greater emphasis on light, contrast, texture and composition. This can change the way a portrait or fashion image is perceived, drawing attention to details that might otherwise compete with colour.

Light becomes particularly important. Shadows can define the shape of a face, body or garment while differences between dark and light areas create depth and structure. Textures such as skin, fabric, hair and natural surroundings can also become more pronounced.

Despite the possibilities of contemporary colour photography, black and white remains widely used in portrait, fashion and fine art photography. Its strength lies not in nostalgia but in its ability to simplify an image and direct attention towards form, expression and composition.

Inspired by the contrast of black and white?
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Portrait art can communicate more than physical appearance. Clothing, accessories, surroundings, colour and artistic technique can introduce elements of culture, personal history and identity into the way a subject is represented.

Artists have approached identity in very different ways across painting, photography and illustration. Some portraits document specific people and traditions, while others use cultural references as part of a broader artistic composition. Understanding the context behind these elements is important, particularly when symbols or traditional dress have a specific cultural meaning.

Contemporary portraiture continues to explore the relationship between the individual and the cultures, communities and environments that shape them. This makes context an important part of looking at a portrait, alongside technique, composition and visual expression.

Interested in how culture influences fashion too?
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Natural forms have long influenced artists, designers and image makers. Shells, stones, plants and organic structures provide shapes, textures and patterns that can be translated into photography, fashion, sculpture, jewellery and other creative disciplines.

Shells are a clear example. Their curves, symmetry and layered surfaces can inspire everything from sculptural accessories to compositions in editorial photography. Rather than simply reproducing nature, creators can isolate individual characteristics and reinterpret them through different materials and techniques.

This relationship between nature and creative practice continues across contemporary art and design. Looking closely at naturally occurring forms can provide ideas for proportion, texture, colour and structure, creating connections between the natural environment and visual culture.

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Natural materials can become part of the artistic process rather than simply serving as inspiration. Wood, branches, stone, clay and other materials found in nature bring their own textures, shapes and imperfections into sculptural work.

Working with these materials requires artists to respond to characteristics that already exist. The direction of a branch, the grain of wood or the irregular surface of a stone can influence the form of the finished sculpture. Instead of completely controlling the material, the artist works with its existing structure.

This approach creates a direct connection between sculpture, craftsmanship and the natural environment. Contemporary artists continue to explore these materials through figurative and abstract works, demonstrating how familiar natural elements can be transformed through composition and technique.

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Painting and Photography in Portraiture

Painting and photography provide different ways of interpreting the human face. A photograph captures a moment through light, composition and timing, while painting allows an artist to reconstruct a portrait through colour, texture, form and individual artistic choices.

Painters can alter proportions, simplify details or introduce colours that do not exist in the original subject. Photographers work with other elements such as lighting, styling, perspective and depth of field to influence how a person is represented.

Contemporary portraiture often brings these disciplines closer together. Photographers draw inspiration from painting while painters increasingly work from photographic references. Both approaches demonstrate that a portrait is not simply a record of someone's appearance but also an interpretation shaped by the person creating the image.

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From Literary Character to Cultural Icon

Some fictional characters move far beyond the books in which they first appeared. Through illustration, film, television, costume and photography, they develop a visual identity that becomes recognisable across generations.

Pippi Longstocking is a clear example. Created by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren, the character became known not only through literature but also through her distinctive visual appearance, from her red braids and freckles to her unconventional clothing and independent personality.

The transformation of literary characters into visual culture shows how different creative disciplines influence one another. Writers establish the character, while illustrators, costume designers, actors, photographers and filmmakers contribute to the way audiences eventually recognise them.

Want to discover another character that became part of popular culture?
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How Coca-Cola Became a Visual Icon

Coca-Cola grew from a new soft drink introduced in 1886 into one of the most recognisable visual identities in the world. Its development demonstrates how graphic design, packaging and advertising can shape the cultural identity of a product over generations.

The brand's distinctive script became an important part of that identity, while the contour bottle introduced in the early twentieth century gave Coca-Cola a recognisable physical form. Advertising later added other visual elements, including illustrations, posters, signs and campaigns that reflected different periods in popular culture.

Its history also shows that brand identity is not created by a single logo or advertisement. Consistent typography, colour, packaging, photography and storytelling can gradually build a visual language that audiences recognise across countries and generations.

Today, historic Coca-Cola advertisements and objects are also studied and collected as examples of graphic design, advertising history and popular visual culture. They demonstrate how commercial design can become part of a much broader cultural landscape.

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Dance uses the human body as a means of artistic expression. Movement, rhythm, posture and gesture can communicate ideas and emotions without relying on spoken language, making the body itself an important part of the creative work.

Different forms of dance approach movement in their own way, from the precision of classical techniques to the greater freedom found in many contemporary performances. Choreographers combine individual movements into compositions, considering timing, space and the relationship between performers.

The visual identity of dance also extends beyond choreography. Costume, lighting, music, stage design and photography can influence how a performance is experienced and documented. Together, these disciplines transform movement into a broader artistic and visual experience.

Discover the world of live performance in our second edition →

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Colour plays an important role in the way a painted portrait is constructed and perceived. Artists rarely rely on a single tone when painting skin. Instead, combinations of warm and cool colours, highlights, shadows and surrounding tones are used to create depth and dimension.

Colour can also influence the overall character of a portrait. Earth tones may create warmth and visual cohesion, while stronger contrasts can direct attention towards particular features. Background colours, clothing and accessories can further affect how the subject stands out within the composition.

Contemporary portrait artists often move beyond strictly realistic colour. Visible layers, unexpected tones and expressive brushwork allow painters to interpret their subjects rather than simply reproduce their appearance. Colour therefore becomes both a technical tool and an important part of an artist's individual visual language.

Inspired by the way colour shapes an artwork?
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Animals in Art

Animals have been represented in art for thousands of years, appearing in everything from early cave paintings and classical sculpture to portraiture and contemporary art. Their role has changed considerably across periods and cultures, reflecting the relationship between people, nature and the societies in which artists worked.

In painting, animals can be the central subject or form part of a larger composition. Artists use colour, texture, anatomy and movement to capture their physical characteristics, while different techniques can range from detailed realism to highly expressive interpretations.

Contemporary artists continue to work with animals as subjects through painting, photography, sculpture and illustration. These works demonstrate how a familiar subject can be interpreted in very different ways depending on an artist's technique and visual language.

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