FORM AND CONTENT GUIDE
Paragraph 1: Introduction (25 points)
Present the FACTUAL INFORMATION relating to the artwork. Include as much of the following information as you can:
ARTIST(S) – name, collaboration, anonymous, etc.
DATE – specific date, approximate date, century, etc.
MEDIA – drawing, painting, sculpture, architecture
TECHNIQUE – shading, perspective, glazing, impasto, carving, casting, post-and-lintel, steel frame, etc.
STYLE – Classical, Gothic, Expressionism, Surrealism, Pop, Post-Modern, etc.
Paragraph 2: Art Elements (25 points)
Describe each ART ELEMENT that you see in the artwork. Start with the most prominent element and how that element is primarily used in the artwork. Provide specific examples and include as many as you can:
LINES – vertical, horizontal, curved, straight, thick, thin, long, short, etc.
SHAPES – circular, square, triangular, biomorphic, shapes of specific objects, etc.
TEXTURE – rough, shiny, wood, skin, water, dots, stripes, etc.
VALUES – light, dark, medium, high contrast, blended, etc.
COLORS – bright, dull, red, yellow, blue, black, white, etc.
Paragraph 3: Design Qualities (25 points)
Describe each of the DESIGN QUALITIES that you see in the artwork. Start with the most prominent and include as many as you can:
SIZE – actual measurements, largest part, smallest part, repeated sizes, etc.
EMPHASIS – most important part, most important art element, etc.
MOVEMENT – actual movement, implied movement, up, down, rapid, slow, chaotic, rhythmic, etc.
SPACE – actual space, sculptural (3 dimensional), flat (2 dimensional), top, bottom, right, left, center, illusionistic, overlapping, etc.
UNITY – visual balance, repetition, variation, complex, simple, etc.
Paragraph 4: Interpret the Meaning of the Work (25 points)
Discuss the meaning of the artwork. Consider each of the following and include as many as you can:
SUBJECT MATTER – What do you see in the artwork? still life, landscape, figure, formal, etc.
THEME – religion, politics, sex, nature, imagination, emotions, etc.
PURPOSE – decorative, expressive, commercial, etc.
CULTURAL CONTEXT – historical time/place/events significant to the artwork
PERSONAL RESPONSE – emotions, thoughts, ideas, opinions, etc.
