1. An educational criticism format for decoding art
Aesthetic Scanning
An educational criticism format for decoding art

2. Sensory Properties – Expressive features and characteristics of art that pertain to the work of art.
Line
Shape/
Form
Color
Value
Texture
Space

3. Formal Properties - Expressive features and characteristics of art that pertain to the work of art.
Unity
Repetition
Contrast
Balance
Movement/
Direction
Emphasis/
Center of Interest

4. Technical Properties – Medium and technique
Technical Properties – Medium and technique. This category works well with original works of art.
Identify the medium (watercolor, cast bronze, photography, etc.).
If possible, comment on the artist’s technique or craftsmanship.
Note anything strikingly unusual about the work (such as paint applied to a photograph).

5. Expressive Properties – Mood or meaning. What is the work about
Expressive Properties – Mood or meaning. What is the work about? What does it mean? Address it in any of the following ways:
Mood Language-Does the piece seem gloomy, uplifting, menacing, flirtatious, serious…?
Idea(l) Language-Does the work express an idea or ideal, such as peace, selflessness, justice…?
Dynamic State-Is there a sense of movement, tension, conflict…?

6. Questioning Strategies for Aesthetic Scanning
Recognizing that students do not scan spontaneously, researchers developed questioning strategies that range from simple to complex.
Leading
Subjective
Parallel
Constructive
Productive

7. Leading Questions – encourages agreement
There’s a lot of color in this painting, isn’t there? (sensory)
Don’t you agree that all those colors convey that these people are having a good time? (expressive)

8. Selective Questions – offers a choice of answers
Is this a watercolor or an oil painting? (technical)
Is the balance symmetrical or asymmetrical? (formal)

9. Parallel Questions – requests additional information
Other than blue, what colors do you see? (sensory)
Frank said “playful.” What other words could describe the mood of this work? (expressive)

10. Constructive Questions – asks for specific information in a short answer
What shapes do you see? (sensory)
What material was this sculpture made from? (technical)

11. Productive Questions – requires general information in an “essay” answer
How did the artist achieve balance in this work? (formal)
How did the artist generate this computer graphic? (technical)