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Art Analysis Worksheet
Art as Communication (ARTS 209)
Liberty University
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ART ANALYSIS WORKSHEET
Gallery Study: In preparation for your formal analysis, print this worksheet and take it with you to complete while you study your chosen artwork. You will submit these notes with your final submission.
Viewing a visual image should be more than just looking and reacting without much thought. Viewing is an interaction between the viewer and the art object. Although most art works are constant, the interaction varies with each viewer because of the viewer's own varied perspectives and associations.
1. Step 1 a) Preparation —have an open mind about artwork. Assume that the artist had something to communicate. b) Label —list the name of the artist, the title of the work, and the gallery visited or the location of the artwork.
NOTE: DO THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS IN ORDER. Respond to the following sections in paragraph form. Use the questions provided (Q) as a guide to provide you with information for your paragraph.
2. First Impression —record your first spontaneous reaction to the artwork. By the end of the process, you may understand your first impression better or you may even change your mind. There are no wrong answers. Unfortunately, this step is where many people stop when they are looking at artwork.
Q. What is your immediate reaction to the work?
List any words that come to mind.
3. Description a) Inventory —This stage is like taking inventory. You want to come up with a list of everything you see in the work. The key here is to stick to the facts**. Imagine that you are** describing the artwork to someone over the telephone. This is a long and detailed section.
b) Composition —Notice different elements in the artwork. How do the individual parts of the artwork contribute or distract? Use terms—line, shape, color, value, form.
c) Visual Cues —How do the elements interact and conflict? How many colors are used? Notcie the source and direction of light. What kind of light source is used? How is the illusion of depth achieved?
4. Analysis —Try to figure out what the artist has done to achieve certain effects. You should refer to your first impressions and try to explain how the artwork achieves that reaction.
Q. How are the elements of art (color, shape, line, texture, space, form, and value) and the principles of design (balance, contrast, emphasis, movement/rhythm, unity, and variety) used in this artwork?
Q. What do you notice about the artist’s choice of materials?
Q. What grabs your attention in the work?
Q. What do you think this artist worked particularly at hard while he/she did this work?
Q. Do you see any relationship between the things you listed during the description stage? Do they work together to communicate specific emotions, principles, symbols, or meaning?
Q. What mood or feeling do you get when you look at this work of art?
5. Interpretation —try to figure out what the artwork is about. Your own perspectives, associations and experiences meet with “the evidence” found in the work of art. All art works are about something. Some art works are about color, their subject matter, and social or cultural issues. Some art works are very accessible—it is relatively easy for the viewer to understand what the artist was doing. Other works are highly intellectual, and it might not be as easy for the viewers to readily know what the artist was thinking about.
Q. What is the theme or subject of the work?
Q. What is the work about; what do you think it means?
Descriptive Words to Use in a Formal Analysis of Art
ELEMENTS
Line blurred broken controlled curved diagonal freehand horizontal interrupted geometric meandering ruled short straight thick thin vertical wide
Texture actual bumpy corrugated flat furry gooey leathery prickly rough sandy shiny simulated smooth soft sticky tacky velvet wet
Color bright calm clear
Shape/Form amorphous biomorphic closed distorted flat free-form full of spaces geometric heavy light linear massive nebulous open organic
Value dark light medium
Space ambiguous deep flat negative/positi ve open shallow
Principles of Art balance contrast emphasis harmony pattern repetition rhythm unity variety
STYLE OR
PERIOD
abstract classical genre historical literary naïve narrative nonobjective primitive realistic romantic Renaissance
Themes in Art adoration children circus cityscape earth, air, fire, water farming festivals gardens grief history hunting landscape love music mythology of historic occasions portraiture processions religion seascape storytelling theater war
MEDIA
(MATERIALS)
Two-Dimensional chalk colored pencil conte egg tempera found materials gouache ink oil pastel pencil photograph print tempera vine charcoal watercolor
Three- Dimensional bronze clay fibers found materials marble metal mixed media papier-mâché plaster stone wood
TECHNIQUE
architecture batik carving ceramics collage crafts glassblowing jewelry-making metalwork modeling mosaics painting photography printmaking repousse sculpture weaving
cool dull exciting garish grayed muted pale primary saccharine secondary subdued sweet warm
Art Analysis Worksheet
Course: Art as Communication (ARTS 209)
University: Liberty University
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