VISUAL ANALYSIS
Art “speaks” to us visually and therefore we need to learn how to read these visual cues and interpret the
artwork. To analyse an artwork from any given discipline, you will focus on the following:
A.
SUBJECT MATTER:
Briefly state what the artwork is about. Look for clues... title of artwork..
What do you see? Explain it to someone as if they were blind.
B.
THE FORMAL ART ELEMENTS (VISUAL ELEMENTS):
• LINE
• COLOUR
• SHAPE/FORM
• TEXTURE
• TONE
• SPACE (DEPTH / PERSPECTIVE)
LINE: hard-edged, soft, geometric, flowing, thick, thin, aggressive, playful, calm, straight,
curved, angular, jagged, simplified, stylized, detailed, defined (clear), geometric, organic
• outlines/contour lines - define outer edges of an object
• cross-contour lines - lines inside an object which gives a sense of the
volume and form of an object by showing the
contours of the surface of the object
• gesture lines - quickly captures an object’s form & movement
• curved lines - reflect beauty, gentleness and calmness
• horizontal - suggests calmness, stability & tranquility
• diagonal - suggests movement, action & power
• vertical - suggests strength, spirituality and dignity
, You can consider:
• Type (curved, straight, etc.)
• Direction (horizontal, vertical, diagonal)
• Function (connect line to a design principle)
• Meaning / Emotion expressed
• Perspective lines (creates depth by means of linear perspective)
Description (D): The horizontal line as seen in . . .
Function (F): . . . divides the canvas in two halves creating an assymetrical composition and
adds to the calming, peaceful effect
D: The vertical lines as seen in (say where) . . .
F: . . . create stability; and a feeling of strength, power and spirituality. (Add a design principle)
D: Diagonal lines are evident in the (say where) . . .
F: . . . it set up dynamic movement / create a feeling of movement and restlessness.
D: The curved lines (say where) . . .
F: . . . create constant, changing movement in the artwork.
D: The bold lines are evident (say where) . . .
F: . . . draw attention and create emphasis in the artwork.
D: The contour lines are evident (say where) . . .
F: . . . lead the eye around forms. (Add a design principle)
D: The implied lines can be seen (say where) . . .
F: . . . lead the eye through the work. . (Add a design principle)
D: The expressive lines as evident in (…) are curved and organic
F: adding to the dynamic character of the work. It creates an area of emphasis drawing
in the viewers’ attention.
D: The repetitive lines can be seen (say where) . . .
F: . . . it creates pattern in the artwork and accumulates to become decorative
. . . it creates movement / rhythm in the artwork
D: The perspective lines that converge towards the back (say where) …
F: . . . create a sense of depth in the artwork by means of linear perspective. (Add a design
principle)
D: The “action lines” in the cartoon (say where)
F: . . . show the character’s downward movement.
, COLOUR: bold, brash, bright, calm, clear, complementary, contrasting, cool, dull, dusty, earthy, exciting,
garish, monochromatic, multi-coloured, muted, naturalistic, pale, polychromatic, primary,
saturated, secondary, subdued, subtle, tertiary, tinted, vibrant, warm
primary: red, blue & yellow
secondary: purple (red+blue), orange (yellow+red), green (blue+yellow)
tertiary colours: red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, blue-
purple, red-purple, brown (mixing two complementaries)
tint colour + white
shade colour + black
tone colour + grey
warm: red, yellow, orange (come towards viewer, feeling of excitement)
cold: blue, green (recedes to back)
complementary – green & red, blue & orange, purple & yellow = strong contrast
analogous – hues next to each other on the colour wheel = harmonious feel
monochromatic - variations of one hue (tints + shades of one colour)
polychromatic - random use of hues and their variations.
intensity - bright, vibrant, rich, glowing or dull, washed out
atmosphere - dark colours convey a somber mood
naturalistic colours – correspond to reality
arbitrary, non-naturalistic colours – depicted subjects are removed from reality
accents of one colour
contrasting colours
large flat areas of colour
symbolic, eg. red - violence, white – purity, keep context in mind
Colour can be used conceptually: What meaning/ideas are attached to the colour
within the context of the artwork?
Art “speaks” to us visually and therefore we need to learn how to read these visual cues and interpret the
artwork. To analyse an artwork from any given discipline, you will focus on the following:
A.
SUBJECT MATTER:
Briefly state what the artwork is about. Look for clues... title of artwork..
What do you see? Explain it to someone as if they were blind.
B.
THE FORMAL ART ELEMENTS (VISUAL ELEMENTS):
• LINE
• COLOUR
• SHAPE/FORM
• TEXTURE
• TONE
• SPACE (DEPTH / PERSPECTIVE)
LINE: hard-edged, soft, geometric, flowing, thick, thin, aggressive, playful, calm, straight,
curved, angular, jagged, simplified, stylized, detailed, defined (clear), geometric, organic
• outlines/contour lines - define outer edges of an object
• cross-contour lines - lines inside an object which gives a sense of the
volume and form of an object by showing the
contours of the surface of the object
• gesture lines - quickly captures an object’s form & movement
• curved lines - reflect beauty, gentleness and calmness
• horizontal - suggests calmness, stability & tranquility
• diagonal - suggests movement, action & power
• vertical - suggests strength, spirituality and dignity
, You can consider:
• Type (curved, straight, etc.)
• Direction (horizontal, vertical, diagonal)
• Function (connect line to a design principle)
• Meaning / Emotion expressed
• Perspective lines (creates depth by means of linear perspective)
Description (D): The horizontal line as seen in . . .
Function (F): . . . divides the canvas in two halves creating an assymetrical composition and
adds to the calming, peaceful effect
D: The vertical lines as seen in (say where) . . .
F: . . . create stability; and a feeling of strength, power and spirituality. (Add a design principle)
D: Diagonal lines are evident in the (say where) . . .
F: . . . it set up dynamic movement / create a feeling of movement and restlessness.
D: The curved lines (say where) . . .
F: . . . create constant, changing movement in the artwork.
D: The bold lines are evident (say where) . . .
F: . . . draw attention and create emphasis in the artwork.
D: The contour lines are evident (say where) . . .
F: . . . lead the eye around forms. (Add a design principle)
D: The implied lines can be seen (say where) . . .
F: . . . lead the eye through the work. . (Add a design principle)
D: The expressive lines as evident in (…) are curved and organic
F: adding to the dynamic character of the work. It creates an area of emphasis drawing
in the viewers’ attention.
D: The repetitive lines can be seen (say where) . . .
F: . . . it creates pattern in the artwork and accumulates to become decorative
. . . it creates movement / rhythm in the artwork
D: The perspective lines that converge towards the back (say where) …
F: . . . create a sense of depth in the artwork by means of linear perspective. (Add a design
principle)
D: The “action lines” in the cartoon (say where)
F: . . . show the character’s downward movement.
, COLOUR: bold, brash, bright, calm, clear, complementary, contrasting, cool, dull, dusty, earthy, exciting,
garish, monochromatic, multi-coloured, muted, naturalistic, pale, polychromatic, primary,
saturated, secondary, subdued, subtle, tertiary, tinted, vibrant, warm
primary: red, blue & yellow
secondary: purple (red+blue), orange (yellow+red), green (blue+yellow)
tertiary colours: red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, blue-
purple, red-purple, brown (mixing two complementaries)
tint colour + white
shade colour + black
tone colour + grey
warm: red, yellow, orange (come towards viewer, feeling of excitement)
cold: blue, green (recedes to back)
complementary – green & red, blue & orange, purple & yellow = strong contrast
analogous – hues next to each other on the colour wheel = harmonious feel
monochromatic - variations of one hue (tints + shades of one colour)
polychromatic - random use of hues and their variations.
intensity - bright, vibrant, rich, glowing or dull, washed out
atmosphere - dark colours convey a somber mood
naturalistic colours – correspond to reality
arbitrary, non-naturalistic colours – depicted subjects are removed from reality
accents of one colour
contrasting colours
large flat areas of colour
symbolic, eg. red - violence, white – purity, keep context in mind
Colour can be used conceptually: What meaning/ideas are attached to the colour
within the context of the artwork?
