ARTS 1301 Homework due Oct 8th 5pm CST

Artist Name (if known), Title, Name of Culture, date. Medium (what it’s made of), dimensions H” x W” [x D”]. Name of Museum, City, State.

Elements of Art

Describe the lines used in the work, and where they are.

· Actual or implied?

· Horizontal and vertical?

· Diagonal and curved?

· Are there smooth, even lines? Expressive or agitated lines?

Is the overall effect stable (mostly horizontal or vertical) or dynamic (mostly diagonal or curved)?

Describe the areas of high value (bright and light) and low value (dark or shadows).

If the work is two-dimensional (painting, drawing, or print):

· Is there a source of light implied in the work?

· Are there realistic cast shadows, or is the overall lighting of the work flat and even?

If the work is three-dimensional (sculpture or utilitarian object):

· How does the light in the gallery interact with the object? What effects does it create, or what is highlighted?

Describe the use of color in the artwork, and be specific about where in the work the colors are found. You may repeat some colors in different categories. If any of these are not used, mention that, too.

· primary colors (red, yellow, blue):

· secondary colors (green, orange, violet):

· neutrals (black, white, gray, brown, tan):

· warm colors (red, orange, yellow, pink, etc.):

· cool colors (blue, green, violet, turquoise, indigo, etc.):

· complementary colors (opposites on the color wheel, such as yellow/violet):

What is the overall mood or effect created? Are there mostly warm, intense tones, or cool, calm tones, or subdued neutrals?

Describe any texture used in the work.

· If the piece is two-dimensional (painting, drawing, or print): does the artist create the effect of visual (implied) texture? Which areas or objects appear realistic although they are on a flat surface?

· If the piece is three-dimensional (sculpture or utilitarian object): what actual (tactile) texture(s) does the work consist of? If you could touch the piece, what would it feel like?

Describe the use of shapes in the work. Be specific about what the shapes are and where they are in the work.

· geometric shapes (regular, symmetrical shapes such as circles and squares). These may be natural or human-made.

· organic shapes (irregular, asymmetrical, freeform shapes). These may be natural or human-made.

· positive space (any shapes, objects, or other recognizable areas of the work):

· negative space (the empty space that surrounds the shapes, objects, or other recognizable areas):

If the object is two-dimensional, does the artist create any illusion of depth on the surface? Are techniques such as overlapping, diminishing scale, or perspective used to make it appear as though the work has a foreground and background?

If the object is three-dimensional, describe its volume. Does it have significant depth? Is it solid or hollow? How does it occupy real space?

Describe any ways that the artist repeats certain elements to create visual unity.

· Discuss this in terms of elements like shape, color, value, and texture. For example, does the work contain mostly warm colors throughout? Mostly organic shapes? Many areas of high value?

Describe any ways that the artist uses diverse elements to create visual variety.

· Discuss this in terms of elements like shape, color, value, and texture. For example, does the artist use many different warm and cool colors? Many different textures or shapes?

Is the overall object balanced? Does it have about the same visual weight side-to-side and top-to-bottom?

· Discuss this in terms of elements like line, shape, color, value, and texture.

Is the overall object symmetrical? Does it have an exact match side-to-side or top-to-bottom? True symmetry should be like a mirror image, exactly or almost exactly the same.

· Discuss this in terms of elements like line, shape, color, value, and texture.

Does the work have radial symmetry, where the same lines or shapes radiate in many directions from a common center point?

· Discuss this in terms of elements like line, shape, color, value, and texture.

Are any shapes, lines, or colors repeated regularly in a way that creates a recognizable pattern?

Are any shapes, lines, or colors alternated regularly in a way that creates a sense of rhythm?

What, if anything, is the focal point of the work? Where does the viewer’s eye go first? Discuss this in terms of elements like high value, warm color, especially large or small size, isolation, central placement, or directional lines and gestures that direct the eye.

Describe the size of the work. Is it exceptionally large or small? How does it correspond to the size of an average human?

Describe any proportions in the work. Are certain shapes or figures exaggerated in size?

Assess the overall effect of the work. What choices made by the artist make the most visual impact? Does the work create a specific mood? Is the work mostly realistic, or more abstract?

Insert proof of your museum visit here. Upload a photo of yourself at the museum, or of a brochure, wristband, receipt, or anything else that documents your in-person visit.