Choose one painting, drawing, or sculpture and, following the 4-step Formal Analysis method, develop an informative, organized, and cohesive art criticism. Student Learning Outcomes Targeted: Engage in critical analysis of the visual arts. Demonstrate and use a fundamental vocabulary required for the evaluation and description of art. Form aesthetic judgment. Engage in processes related to the field of art, such as artmaking, critique, exhibition, and museum/gallery curation. Before Beginning: Select a painting, drawing, or sculpture that is historically significant. Research your artwork using SCHOLARLY sources (see recommendations provided on Moodle). Finish reading Understanding Art and Formal Qualities and Evaluation of Art Review Feldman’s 4-Step Art Criticism Model . Directions Write six paragraphs on the following: Paragraph 1: Introduction The first thing an introduction should do is tell your reader what to expect in this paper. This is where the thesis statement should go. For example: “Vincent Van Gogh’s painting Starry Night is an important work of art that uses design qualities such as texture and balance to express emotion. This painting can be evaluated with several philosophies, including expressive and formal theories.” A good introduction should state the basic facts about your artwork, such as its title and the artist. You can also include additional facts about the artwork, such as its style, time period, and any other pertinent facts about the work. If your thesis statement has not done so already, it is also a good idea to briefly describe the four following paragraphs. Essentially an introduction should tell the view what they are going to read. Paragraph 2: Description Describe the formal qualities: What are the materials used? What is the size/scale? What is the media (painting, sculpture, photography, etc.)? Is this work Representational, Nonrepresentational, or Abstract? Is it 2D, 3D, or 4D? Finally, describe the Elements of Design (line, shape, color, texture, value, etc.) Describe the subject: What is depicted? What does it look like? What are the visual qualities? Collect the facts. Is it religious, mythological, historical, contemporary? When it was made? Try to place the work in its proper time and cultural context. The cultural circumstances surrounding the creation of a work can be critical to defining the function of the art. Was it a commission? If so, do we know who commissioned it and for what purpose? Do not interpret meaning in this paragraph, just facts. Paragraph 3: Analysis Explain which Principles of Design are used in this piece and how they are used. Explain which Elements of Design are used to create the Principles of Design? For example: How is your eye moving across the image (directional forces)? Are there lines or implied lines leading your eye? Where do you look first and longest (emphasis)? Think of visual weight (balance), strongest color, most interesting texture , boldest shape How the background (negative space) is made interesting? Look especially at places where shapes are near each other, or near the edges or corners of the picture (composition). Is there Contrast? What creates it? If work is not symmetrical, how else is the balance achieved? Look for themes or motifs of color, shape, line or texture that reoccur (pattern). Repetition of an element gives the art a feeling of unity or oneness, a lack of repetition will yield a greater sense of chaos or variety. For more review Formal Qualities and Evaluation of Art! You should demonstrate that you know and understand The Elements and Principles of Design. Try to use elevated and professional language to describe what you see. Try to use art terms and demonstrate that you know what they mean. Avoid discussing meaning in this paragraph. Paragraph 4: Interpretation Write about the meaning of the piece. You will need to do a little research on the artwork. You can do this through the textbook, through a scholarly databases search, and possibly through scholarly websites. You may also include your own thoughts or interpretations of the piece, and if this differs from your research findings, explain your reasoning for coming to the conclusion that you did. Be sure to address the following prompts: What is its meaning, what is it about? Is this different from the subject? If so, how is the meaning expressed? What did the artist want to express? Is this different then the reaction it received? Is the title significant in describing the meaning? If so, how? How are the formal qualities and the Elements and Principles of Design being used to create or support the meaning?
