Analyze
Elements of art:
• Lines — actual, implied, straight, curved; broken, simple, complex, vertical, bold, delicate, etc.
• Shapes — two/three-dimensional, representational, abstract, geometric, organic, open, closed, etc.
• Value — relative dark and light; value contrast; shading or gradations of value to show depth.
• Color — scheme (monochromatic, complementary); quality (warm, cool, intense, expressive, etc.).
• Texture — Involves our sense of touch: smooth, rough, hairy, scratchy, wet, etc.
• Space — space between shapes, volume, holes, relationships, spatial illusion (perspective), etc.
Principles of design: • Unity — holds together as a whole.
• Variety — provides visual interest.
• Emphasis — something to hold the eye.
• Balance — formal (symmetrical) or informal.
• Proportion — relative sizes of images.
• Pattern — repeated motifs.
• Rhythm and movement — active or stable.
Similarities: • Images that compare to each other in any way.
• Images that compare to other artworks, nature, or your experience.
Differences: • Contrast in scale, clarity, value, color, texture, or other art elements.
• Contrasts to other artworks.
InterpretUse as you see fit, and in any order that naturally occurs.
Question: What do I feel when I look at the artwork? What seems important?
Free-associate: What does the image bring to mind? No rules: let your mind wander where it will.
Compare and
contrast to other artworks.
Investigate the historical context
Eliminate and
arrange your previous observations:
• Eliminate the unimportant or uninteresting.
• Arrange potentially significant observations.
Suggest meanings the artist may have had in mind.
Test your ideas: review your description and analysis.
Reflect on spiritual and personal meanings for you.
Evaluate Originality • Is the image trite, or overused, formulaic or overly cute?
• Does the artist offer insight, a fresh approach, a unique viewpoint?
• Does the image have a certain presence of its own?
Craft • Does fine crafting support or distract from the immediacy of the image?
• Is the artwork loose, free, painterly, textural — or just sloppy?
Design • Does the work have balance, unity, variety, rhythm?
• If the artwork is functional, does the form follow the function?
• Is the work readable? Does it have a focal point?
• If it is confusing, does the confusion seem to support the content?
Expression • Is anything being expressed (not necessarily profound or serious)?
• How well do the physical elements — materials, media, shapes, colors — support the content?
• Does the work evoke anything in me?
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