St. Joe's Visual Art
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Questions for Analyzing Artworks

First Reaction- write down your first response to the artwork
  • Did you like it?
  • How does it make you feel?
  • Does it remind you of anything you have seen before?
Description- list what you can see in this artwork
  • Figures, colors, shapes, objects, background, etc.
  • Imagine you are describing it to a blind person. Do this in as much detail as possible

Formal Analysis- write down your observations in more detail, looking at these specific aspects of the artwork:

  • Colors:
    • Which type of palette has the artist used: is it bright or dull, strong or weak?
    • Are the colors mostly complementary, primary, secondary or tertiary?
    • Which colors are used most, and which are used least in this artwork?
    • Are the colors used different ways in different parts of the artwork?
    • Have the colors been applied flat (straight from the tube), or have different colors been mixed?
  • Tones:
    • Is there a use of light/shadow in this artwork?
    • Where is the light coming from? where are the shadows?
    • Are the forms in the artwork realistically modeled (does it look 3D)?
    • Is there a wide range of tonal contrast (very light highlights and very dark shadows) or is the tonal range quite narrow (mostly similar tones)?
  • Use of Media:
    • What medium has been used?
    • How has the artist used the medium (applied thick or thin? How can you tell?)
    • Can you see brushstrokes, markmaking or texture? Describe the shape and direction of the brushstrokes/marks. What size of brush.pencil was used?
    • Was is painted, drawn, sculpted quickly, or slowly? What makes you think this?
  • Composition:
    • What type of shaped are used in this artwork? (rounded, geometric, curved, etc.)
    • Is there a mixture of different types of shapes or are all of the shapes similar?
    • Are some parts of the composition full of shapes and some empty or are the shapes spread evenly across the artwork?
    • Are some shapes repeated or echoed in other parts of the artwork?
    • Does the whole composition look full of energy and movement, or does it look still and peaceful?
    • How did the artist create this movement or stillness?
    • What is the center of interest in the composition?
    • How does the artist draw your attention to it?
  • Mood/Emotion:
    • What do you think the artist wanted you to feel when you look at this artwork?
    • What has he/she used to create a mood? (think about the colors, shapes, tones, etc.)
    • How has he/she succeeded in creating this mood?

Interpretation- your personal thoughts about the work
  • What do you think the artist is trying to say in this artwork? What does it mean?
  • What is the main theme or idea behind this piece?
  • If you were inside this artwork, what would you be feeling / thinking?
  • Does the artwork have a narrative (tell a story)? is it a religious artwork?
  • Is it abstract? is it realistic? Why?
  • How would you explain this artwork to someone else?
Evaluation- based on what you have observed, give your opinion of the artwork with reasons

Questions for Reflecting on a Studio Work


  • How do you feel overall with the studio work?
  • Define what you mean by "good" or "bad" studio work?
  • What difficulties did you encounter?
  • How did you overcome these difficulties?
  • Does the studio work look like how you imagined it?
  • What would you do differently if you could do it over again?
  • What is your favorite part about your final studio piece?
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