1. Visual Analysis: The Elements & Principles of Composition

2. Formal analysis is an important technique for organizing visual information.
In other words, it is a strategy used to translate what you see into written words.
This strategy can be applied to any work of art, from any period in history, whether a photograph, sculpture, painting, book cover, cultural artifact, etc.

3. BACKGROUND
Background is the part of the picture that is farthest from the viewer

4. BALANCE
Balance is created in a work of art when textures, colors, forms, or shapes are combined
harmoniously.

5. COLOR
Color differentiates and defines lines, shapes, forms, and space.
Even black and
white images
have a huge
number of
different shades
of gray.

6. CONTRAST Contrast Contrast is the juxtaposition of
opposing elements eg. opposite
colours on the colour wheel - red
/ green, blue / orange etc.
Contrast in tone or value - light /
dark. Contrast in direction –
horizontal / vertical. The major contrast
in a painting should
be located at the center of interest.
Too much contrast scattered
throughout a painting can destroy unity
and make a work difficult to look at. Unless
a feeling of chaos and confusion are what
you are seeking, it is a good idea to carefully
consider where to place your areas of
maximum contrast.

7. EMPHASIS Emphasis is created in a work of art when the artist
contrasts
colors, textures,
or shapes to
direct your
viewing towards a particular part of the image. Line is the most basic building block of formal analysis. Line can be used to create more complex shapes or to lead your eye from one area in the composition to another.

8. FOREGROUND
Foreground is the part
of the picture closest
to the viewer

9. FORMS
Forms are three-dimensional shapes with length, width, and depth. Balls, cylinders, boxes and
pyramids are
forms.

10. FRAMING Framing is the method by which the composition and/or
parts are enclosed or
framed

11. MOOD
Mood is the pervading
feeling or spirit in a visual
text

12. MOVEMENT
Movement is the way a viewer's eye is directed to move through a composition, often to areas of emphasis. Movement can be directed by lines,
contrasting shapes,
or colors within
the artwork.

13. PATTERN Pattern is the repetition of a shape, form, or
texture across a work
of art.

14. PERSPECTIVE/ANGLE Perspective/Angle is the viewpoint from which the
subject is being presented
(from above, below,
eye level, etc)

15. PROPORTION Proportion is created when the sizes of elements in
a work of art
are
combined harmoniously.

16. REPETITION
Repetition of a shape, form, or texture with variation is interesting, without variation repetition can become monotonous

17. SHAPES Shapes are created when lines are combined to form a square,
triangle, or circle.
Shapes can be organic
(irregular shapes found in nature) or geometric (shapes with strong lines and angles such as circles, triangles, and squares).
Pablo Picasso. Les Demoiselles d'Avignon.

18. SPACE Space is the area between and around objects.
Increasing or decreasing the
amount of space around an
object affects the way we view
that object.
a.) Positive Space – the space
that is being used in the composition
b.) Negative Space – the space that is left empty in a particular composition

19. TEXT Text refers to any letters/ words/ phrases
incorporated into a visual composition – reflect on how these words work to convey a particular message or mood

20. TEXTURE Texture is the surface quality that can be seen and felt.
Textures
can be rough or
smooth, soft or hard.
Textures are often implied.
For instance, a
drawing of a rock
might appear to have a rough and hard surface, but in reality is as smooth as the paper on which it is drawn.

21. UNITY
Unity is created when the principles of analysis are present in a composition and in harmony. Some images have
a complete sense of unity,
while some artists
deliberately avoid formal
unity to create feelings of
tension and anxiety.

22. VALUE Value is the degree of light and dark in a design. It is the
contrast between
black and white and
all the tones in
between. Value can
be used with color as
well as black and
white. Contrast is the
extreme changes between
values.

23. VISUALS & Art Analysis
Use this sheet when analysing the work of artists and designers to help you organise your thoughts and opinions into a piece of writing that is clear and accurate.
Use these questions to help you structure your writing when analysing pieces of Art
Use these words and phrases to help structure your written work and annotation
What is the piece called?
When was it made?
Tell me a little bit about the Artist
What are your first thoughts about the piece?
When addition information use:-
Also, as well as, again, coupled with, likewise, similar, in addition, moreover, furthermore, including.
When comparing and contrasting information use:-
In contrast, by comparison, instead, on the other hand, however, rather than, whereas, alternatively, in comparison with, even though, nevertheless
What do you see in the Image?
What colours and textures do you see?
Are there any unusual feature that you notice?
How do you think the piece of work was made?
What colours and shapes stand out the most?
Is there a main focus in the piece? Why/Why not?
When starting or continuing a sentence use:-
Firstly, to begin with, first of all, in the first place, secondly, at the same time, the next step, meanwhile, while, earlier, next,
How does it made you feel, or what feelings could it represent?
Does the piece remind you of anything? What? Why?
When showing similarities use:-
Equally, identically, likewise, coupled with, together with, similarly,
When emphasising information use:-
Above all, with attention to, particularly, especially, in particular, most importantly
What is similar about the two pieces you have looked at?
Are there any main differences between them?
Do they show different ideas or meanings?
Which of the two do you prefer the most? Why?
How does the artist’s work link to the theme/subject you are looking at ?
How could you use the artists ideas in your own work?
When giving an example use:-
For example, such as, for instance, specifically, in particular, including, to illustrate this, to give an example.
When making a conclusion or summarizing use:-
To sum up, in conclusion, to summarize, in summary, in final analysis, finally, all in all, on the whole, in brief.

24. Spellings, Grammar and Punctuation Try thinking of your own too
VISUALS & ART Annotation
Shape, form, space
Closed
Open
Distorted
Flat
Organic
Deep
Positive
Negative
Foreground
Background
Composition
Curvaceous
Elongated
Large
Small
2D D
Tone
Bright
Dark
Faded
Smooth
Harsh
Contrasting
Intense
Sombre
Grey
Strong
Powerful
Feint
Light
Medium
Dramatic
Pattern and Texture
Repeated
Uniform
Geometric
Random
Symmetrical
Soft
Irregular
Coarse Bold
Uneven
Bumpy
Rough
Spiky
Broken
Furry
Fine Flat
Grid
Line
Fluent
Free Rough
Controlled
Angular
Delicate
Flowing
Simple
Thick Thin
Horizontal
Interrupted
Rounded
Overlapping
Faint
Colour
Bright Bold
Primary
Secondary
Tertiary
Radiant
Dull Vivid
Monochrome
Harmonious
Complementary
Natural
Earthy
Subtle
Pale
Cool Warm
Saturated
Luminous
Basic, simple, solid, loud, quiet, bright, realistic, stylised, observed, busy, vibrant, strange, interesting, balanced, lively, negative, recognisable, abstract, tactile, meaningful, symbolic, depressing, unique, emotive, hidden, textural, dynamic, disturbed, sophisticated, puzzling, optimistic, powerful, intentional, concealed, subtle,
REMEMBER to check your..
Spellings, Grammar and Punctuation
Sentence Starter Help
Try thinking of your own too
In this piece I have…
The materials I have used are…
The technique I have used is…
Through working in this way I have learnt how to…
I have shown… in the style of…
This piece could develop further by including…
The artist………… has influenced
my designs because…
To develop this piece further I could…
I think using… worked really well because…
I am particularly pleased with… and I now aim to….
Example
I have created this piece using watercolours , coloured pencil and oil pastel. I have learnt how to blend the watercolours to show different tones and use oil pastels to show the darkest tones and add texture. The piece shows strong shapes and vivid colours. I have added coloured pencils to show some areas in more detail and focus. The artist Georgia O’Keeffe has inspired my piece. In her work she uses bright, bold colours to show close up views of flowers with a range of dark to light tones. I aim to now further develop my piece by using other materials. I could do this by experimenting with block prints on watercolour back grounds or possibly try painting onto fabric to then stitch into to show more detail.

25. Art Analysis
Afghan Girl – National Geographic 1985

27. Visual Writing Task
What message was the artist trying to convey through this piece? Identify and explain two visual component that contribute to your understanding of the artistic meaning.

28. Art Analysis
Daniella Kritsch – Loss of Identity

29. WRITTEN TASK
Explain how the artist uses visual elements in order to convey an important idea or create an overall impression.