M3-Analysis Notecards

How important is line to this work?
What type of line is here? Thick or thin; continuous or
broken; constant or variable?
Does the line have movement or direction?
What quality does the line have? Delicate or bold?
Does the line create value, texture, shapes, or space?
Is there implied line? Where? How?
What visual effect does the line have? (Does it make the work “feel” a certain way?)

SHAPE

How important is shape to this work?
What kind of shapes are here? Simple or complex?
Are they organic or inorganic? Geometric or Biomorphic?
How are the shapes created? Line, color, value, texture?
Do the shapes have mass or not? (Weight or form?)
Do the shapes convey a sense of space, or not?
Describe the figure-ground relationship created by the shapes? (Weak or strong?)
What visual effect do the shapes have in this work?

VALUE

How important is value and light to this work?
How much variation in value is in this work?
Are the values high contrast, or low contrast?
What function do the values play?
Is there a use of chiaroscuro? (Shading to create form and “real” effect) if so, where is the light source?
Does the local value predominate: or are the values assigned or subjective?
How does light function in this work: from value or color?
What effect does light and value have to this work?

COLOR

How important is color to this work?
What colors are present? Name them.
Describe the overall color scheme?
Does this artist use a limited palette? Analogous? (Close on color wheel)
Contrasting? (Opposite on the color wheel)
Monochromatic? (all one color) Neutral (browns, grays, black, white)?
Are the colors intense, or muted? (Tint, tone or shade?)
Light or dark? Many or few?
How are the colors distributed? (Which colors are where?)
Are the transitions blended, or hard edged?
Does the work use color for specific effects? How? What effect?
What emotional effect do the colors have on this work?

SURFACE/TEXTURE

What importance does surface and texture play in this work?
What kind of surface does this work have?
Are any textures a actual or an illusion?
Does the texture define areas or is it overall?
Is there evidence of the hand? Brushstrokes? What effect does this have?
Is there pattern present in the surface or texture?

SPACE

How important is space to this work?
Is this work a “window” or a “painting”?
Is the work visually flat or the illusion of three dimensions?
What elements does the use to work create space? Line? Value? Color? Perspective?
If the work uses perspective, what kind is it?
Where is the viewer?
Is space defined or ambiguous?
How is the space of the picture plane and the picture frame used?
What effect does the space of this work have?

BALANCE

Is there a sense of equilibrium or stability to the composition?
Is the balance symmetrical, radial, allover pattern or asymmetrical?
Describe the visual “weight” of the various elements.
Is there a sense of tension or calmness to the composition?
How is the picture plane used to create balance?
How successful is the balance in the work?

EMPHASIS

Where do your eyes go first? Second? Third?
Are certain elements stronger visually than others? How much stronger?
What are they and how do they work? (Placement, isolation, contrasts?)
Is there a focal point, if so, what is it?
What effect do the controlled elements (placement or other elements) of the composition have?

PROPORTION/SCALE

What kind of relationship do the elements have to each other?
If recognizable objects are present, how is proportion used?
Does the composition appear to use a defined method of proportion?
How big is the actual work, and how does this change the effect?
Does the scale vary within the work?
What effect does this have?

UNITY

 Does the whole predominate over the parts?
What is the visual hierarchy of the piece?
Is the unity visual or intellectual?
How is unity achieved: proximity, repetition, continuation, theme and variation?
How successful is the overall unity of the work?

ANALYSIS

What emotional or sensory role do the elements and composition play in this work?
Which of the elements are most important to this work?
Why do you think the artist made these choices, what effect were they getting you to feel?
What overall mood or feeling does this work have?
What evidence is there in the elements or composition that explains this feeling?
Is the work successful in using the elements and principals to convey the above?
How does the subject relate to this analysis?
What is your personal response to this work?