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Fine Art and Curatorial Practice

A library guide to support studio practice and research in fine art and curatorial studies

Recommended sources for Painting

Featured books

Journals and magazines

What is a journal?

  • Journals are ongoing publications also known as serials or periodicals.
  • Journals allow researchers and scholars to report their findings and ideas. Theories and ideas circulating in contemporary visual culture will be discussed in journal articles.
  • Some journals are peer-reviewed or 'refereed'. Articles in these journals have been evaluated by specialists or experts within academia and / or industry.
  • Journal articles often start with an 'abstract' - a brief summary of the article. 
  • The Monash Journals collection also includes some high-quality popular magazines, providing current information and opinions on popular topics for a non-academic audience.
  • Journal articles are often considered 'academic' or 'scholarly' sources, however magazines and 'trade journals' are usually not. You can read more about evaluating a journal article's quality on the Art, Design and Architecture Theory guide.
  • Many journals are available through Monash in electronic format, and some of these also have print copies in the Library. There are other journals which are only available in print - browse the shelves on Level 4 of the Caulfield Library's journal section.

Key databases

Research databases are organised collections of digital information that can be easily searched, such as journal articles, books, or images. Unlike a general Google search, using a database means you can be sure the information you find is high-quality and reliable. Finding 'scholarly' resources is also easier through a database. There are many different databases, which include different content. Once you choose a database, use keywords on your topic to search. Then try using the 'filter' options, such as publication date, content type, or subject area to refine your results.

Selected websites for Painting

Browse the shelves

The Monash libraries use the Dewey Decimal Classification scheme to organise books and journals. A call number is printed on a sticker, attached to the book's spine. It classifies an item by subject. They are used so resources on the same topic are grouped together on the shelf, which makes it easier to browse materials in the same subject area. A call number shows you the exact position of the item within the Library - each shelf has a range of numbers listed on it.

Browse the following call numbers in the Caulfield Library:

  • 750-759 Painting and paintings
  • 750.1 Philosophy and theory
  • 751 Techniques, procedures, equipment, materials, forms
  • 751.422 Watercolor painting
  • 752 Color (Colour)
  • 753 Symbolism, allegory, mythology legend
  • 754 Genre paintings
  • 755 Religion
  • 757 Human figures
  • 758.1 Landscapes
  • 758.2 Marine scenes and seascapes
  • 758.3 Animals
  • 758.4 Still life
  • 758.42 Flowers
  • 758.5 Plants
  • 759 Individual painters and their work
  • 759.1 North America
  • 759.2 England
  • 759.3 - 759.8 Europe
  • 759.9 Other geographic areas
  • 759.994 Australia

Search on a topic

To find items by subject :

  1. Go to Advanced Search on the Library website
  2. Change the drop down box from 'Any field' to 'Subject'

Some example subjects you could try searching for:

  • Art Aboriginal Australian
  • Art Australian 21st Century
  • Cubism
  • Human figure in art
  • Landscape painting
  • Painting
  • Painting Australian
  • Painting history
  • Painting modern
  • Painting technique
  • Portrait painting
  • Women artists