Art Homework

Using the artwork in link below complete the ooutline below:

http://www.moma.org/interactives/exhibitions/2011/rivera/content/mural/liberation/detail.php

 

Outline of Visual Elements and Principles of Design

**Follow the outlined list of terms below – in the order they are listed – and simply fill in your response to each bold term**  
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