Outline of Visual Elements and Principles of Design
Each term is in bold type. The additional information
included in the outline is there to help you with your observations. Papers
submitted with terms addressed in a random order will be returned for
clarification and reorganization, and considered late.
Visual Elements
A. Line – What types of lines do you see in the piece?
Provide examples. Are the outlines (whether perceived or actual) smooth, fuzzy,
clear? Are the main lines vertical, horizontal, diagonal, or curved, or a
combination of any of these? Are the lines jagged and full of energy? Sketchy?
Geometric? Curvilinear? Bold? Subtle?
Actual and
Implied Line
B. Shape – What types of shapes do you see? Provide
examples.
1. Geometric
Shapes
2. Organic
Shapes
C. Mass – is mass actual or implied? How is it implied?
D. Space – how is space created in the piece? If the artist
conveys space, what type of space is used? What is the relation of the main
figure to the space around it? Are the main figures entirely within the space
(if the artwork is a painting), or are parts of the bodies cut off by the edge
of the artwork? Is the setting illusionistic, as if one could enter the space
of the painting, or is it flat and two-dimensional, a space that one could not
possibly enter? Consider the following spatial devices:
1.
Two-Dimensional Space
2. Illusion of
Depth - Implied Depth
a.
Overlapping, Diminishing Size, Vertical Placement
3. Perspective
a. Linear
perspective
b.
Atmospheric or Aerial Perspective
E. Time and Motion – is time or motion evident?
3. Implying
Motion – if evident, how is it implied?
4. Actual
Motion
F. Light – how is the illusion of light created? Are shadows
visible? Where? Are there dark shadows, light shadows, or both? How do the
shadows affect the work?
1. Seeing
Light
- Value
(or tone)
2. Implied
Light
-
Chiaroscuro
- Strong
Value Contrasts
- Minimal
Value Contrasts
3. Light as
Medium?
G. Color - is color
important in the piece? How is it used? What type of colors are used in the
work? Bright? Dull? Complimentary? Does the artist use colors to draw your
attention to specific areas of the work? How? If a sculpture, examine the
color(s) of the medium and how it affects the work.
H. Texture – actual or implied? If a sculpture, is the
surface smooth and polished or rough? Are there several textures conveyed?
Where and How? If a painting, is there any texture to the paint surface? Are
the brushstrokes invisible? Brushy? Sketchy? Loose and flowing? Or tight and
controlled?
Principles of Design - How are the visual elements of the
work arranged?
A. Unity and Variety
B. Balance – how is balance created?
1. Symmetrical
Balance or Asymmetrical Balance
C. Emphasis and Subordination – what is the focal
point?
1. Emphasis –
what is emphasized?
2.
Subordination – what is subordinated?
D. Directional Forces – do lines or repeated elements create
paths for the eyes to follow? Directional forces typically direct our eyes to
the area of emphasis.
E. Contrast – any variation of value, color, or scale, for
example, creates contrast.
F. Repetition and Rhythm
G. Scale and Proportion How big is the artwork? Are the
figures or objects in the work life-sized, larger or smaller than life? How
does the size affect the work? Does the whole or even individual parts of the
figure(s) or natural objects in the work look natural? Why did you come to this
conclusion?
A reminder: in your conclusion (the final paragraph) you
should end your paper with a restatement of your thesis and summary of your
response to the piece. Notice if your first impression of the work has changed,
now that you have taken a closer look? How? If you came up with a thesis
statement before doing this in-depth analysis, you may want to change it if
your impression of the work has changed
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