Thinking about and writing answers to these questions will help you to
describe, and analyze your work for yourself and to others verbally and in
brochures, letters, and other print media.
Describe
What is the title of the work of art?
Who created it?
Where was it created?
When?
Where is it now, who owns it?
What is the medium of the work of art? Acrylic, Oil, Pen & Ink. . .
Is it a painting, a lithograph, a piece of sculpture, a crafted piece of furniture, a
drawing, etc?
What are the dimensions?
What do you know about the artist?
What is represented?
Who is represented?
Is it a myth?
A landscape?
A Portrait?
A Seascape?
A Religious Scene?
Take an inventory of what you see. List everything that is in front of you. Imagine
that you are taking a report, do not leave anything out. Write in such a way that
the person who is reading the analysis can get a mind's eye view of what is in the
painting.
Formal Analysis
What is the mood of the painting?
What is your initial reaction to it?
How has the artist utilized the elements of composition line, texture, space, color and
shape to create this mood, or establish the content of the work?
How would you describe the line quality?
How would you describe the brushwork?
What is the focal point?
How do the elements of composition, draw you into the painting?
How does the line quality, color relationships, shapes, spatial considerations textural
Interpretation
What does the painting "say" to you personally?
How has the artist used the elements of composition-line, texture, space, color, and
she to create meaning or content?
What is the function of this work of art?
What connection do you see between subject matter and the techniques used?
How successful has the artist been in presenting and synthesizing the elements of
composition with the overall content of the work of art?
What is your subjective reaction to the work of art?
What is the cultural meaning and context of the work of art?
How does the work of art reflect the social, political, aesthetic, psychological, or
cultural ideas of its time?
What do you know abut other works of art by this artist?
How are the attributes of artist's individual style examined and explored
in this particular work?
What is the function of the work?
Who might the audience or buyer be for this piece?