4 Steps of Art Criticism Flashcards
Form & Scale
Form: Its physical nature or within the work of art refers to the element of shape among the various other elements.
Scale: Overall physical size of an artwork.
Does the art depict figures or objects rather than abstract shapes? What is represented?
Step 1: Describing
What do I see?
- Form and scale
- The use of line
- Use of space
- Use of color
- Use of light
- Use of shape
Line
Curved lines can create a calming effect while jagged lines feel harsher and wild, or create a sense of energy. Rough sketchy lines create a sense of movement and freedom, while smooth solid lines feel still and intentional. Where is the implied line drawing your eye to?
Space
Focus on things like depth and perspective, overlapping objects, the use of empty space versus space crowded with details.
Color
Make note of hue, value (lightness and darkness), and intensity. What is the color palet saying about the work?
Light
Talk about how the artist can create the illusion of light. Also discuss the role of shadow.
Shape
Look to see if shapes are repeated; could this be significant? For example a triangle symbolizes balance and stability. The golden triangle rule is often a tool used in composition. Are the shapes natural or geometric?
Step 2: Analyzing
How is the work organized?
- Balance
- Contrast
- Movement
- Proportion
- Focus point
- Themes
Balance
How do the colors, shapes, and textures in the piece work together?
Contrast
Does the work make use of contrasting colors, textures, or lighting? Contrast can also be found in the use of different shapes or contours like jagged versus curved lines or geometric versus natural shapes.
Movement
How does the work create a sense of movement? Is your eye drawn through the composition in a particular way?
Proportion
Do the sizes of different elements in the work appear the way you would expect?
Focus point
Most works have one or more focus points that are designed to catch your attention and draw your eye in. In a portrait it may be the eyes or face of a subject, in a still life it could be a centrally placed object or well lit object.
Themes
Identify and discuss how the artist uses the elements of design (color, light, space, shape, and line) to express these themes. Themes might include things like: The use of color to give the work a particular mood or meaning. Also look for the use of symbolism and religious mythological imagery. How Frida Kahlo uses flowers and plants in her paintings, or the use of symbols from classic mythology in Botticelli’s Birth of Venus.
Step 3: Interpreting
What is happening? What is it the artist is trying to say? Why did they create the work? Try to summarize the overall meaning of the work. Describe your own reaction to the work - this is where you can be more subjective. How does the work make you feel? What is the overall mood of the work, does it remind you of anything? Give examples.
