Primitive art, also known as 'native' art or folk art, has a long and rich tradition. Primitive art is very different from so-called primitivism, which is an old, somewhat derogatory name for the study of the artistic creations of Oceanic, African, and Native American cultures. Since primitive artists don't draw upon particular schools of formal training, it's difficult to categorize their styles.

A general survey of the best primitive art suggests that these creators rely heavily on bright colors, rhythmic brushstrokes, and a very open, 'of a piece' style. Among the most famous folk artists are Grandma Moses, Joshua Johnson, Edward Hicks, and Gertrude Morgan. The French polymath, Henry Rousseau, who is also known for his philosophical writings and influential political discourses, created some extremely impressive primitive art, as well.

Trained artists can abandon their formalized teachings and create works in the primitive art fashion. There is a debate among art taxonomists about whether trained artists can truly create pure primitive art. There's also a debate about whether art in nontraditional media--such as electronic canvases--can be considered primitive art, or whether this type of art should be accorded its own unique classification.

Most folk artists enjoy some education and exposure to different styles. Therefore, determining when an artist has been trained enough not to be considered a folk artist can prove to be a maddening exercise in semantics. When a primitive artist studies the works of classical masters on his own, for instance, he may no longer be considered a pure folk artist, but rather a disciple of the classical school.