Visual Analysis
- Your personal response to a work. Choose art that "speaks" to you (you'll have a much easier time writing about it) and ask yourself not only which emotions are raised by a particular piece/pieces, but how the artist evokes these ideas and feelings.
- The formal elements that we've discussed in class, and how they guide your eye through the piece. What do you notice first, and why? Consider things like line (thick vs. thin, straight vs. curved), color (realistic vs. expressive, bright vs. muted, warm vs. cool), the interplay of light and shadow, how the composition is organized, etc. What do these formal elements communicate to the viewer? Why do you think the artist chose this particular medium?...When writing about art, imagine you're describing it to a blind person: organize your description, putting the most relevant details first. Be thorough.
- How the piece is displayed. Is it in an open space or a more intimate setting? Try to view the work from as many angles as possible. Should it be viewed from a distance, or do you benefit from viewing it up close? What is the physical relationship between you and the artwork? Is it larger than life, or do you tower over it, and how does its size affect your experience?
- The context of the work: who created it, and why? What is the intended audience for this piece? What cultural/historical issues may have influenced the artist?
- Most importantly, spend time with the art. Have a pencil and paper handy (most museums don't allow pens) so you can record your thoughts and reactions as they occur to you. Resist the temptation to snap a photo with your phone and figure it out later. You aren't doing yourself any favors.