When looking at art there are several questions one might ask themselves when describing, analyzing, interpreting, evaluating and relating to it.

                                                                                         

DESCRIBING IT:

• How would you describe the formal elements? The texture, form, shape, colour, line,

            marks

• After looking at the painting for a moment, what observations can you make about it?
• How would you describe the people in this picture? Are they like you or are they different than you?
• What kinds of things do you see in this painting? What is happening?
• How would you describe (the place depicted in) this painting?
• What words would you use to describe this painting? What other words might you use?
• How do you think the work has been developed and made
• How would you describe this painting to a person who could not see it?

                                                                                        

ANALYING IT:

• Which objects seem closer to you? Farther away?
• What makes this painting look crowded?
• What can you tell me about the colors in this painting?
• What is the dominant color in this painting? Which color was used the most?
• What can you say about the way this person might have lived? How did you arrive at that idea?
• What do you think is the most important part of this picture?
• How do you think the artist made this work?
• What questions would you ask the artist about this work if he/she were here?

 

INTERPRETING IT:

• What title would you give this painting? What made you decide on that title?
• What other titles would you give it?
• What sounds would this painting make (if it could)?
• What do you think is happening in this painting? How did you come to that idea?
• Pretend that you are inside this painting. What does it feel like?
• Why do you suppose the artist made this painting? What makes you think that?
• What do you think it would be like to live in this painting? What makes you think that?

 

EVALUATING IT:

• What do you think is good about this painting?
• Why do you think other people should see this work of art?
• Do you think the person that painted this did a good job or a bad job? Why?
• What do you think other people would say about this art?
• What grade would you give the artist for this work? How did you arrive at that grade?
• What would you do with this work if you owned it?
• What do you think is worth remembering about this painting?

 

RELATING TO IT:

• What does this painting remind you of?
• What interests you most about this work of art?
• How is this picture different from real life?
• What things do you recognize in this painting? What things seem new to you?
• How does this picture

 

The next time you visit an art gallery or museum and you observe someone staring quietly at a work of art...you now know what could possibly be running through their mind.

 

Take the time to really OBSERVE!

 

XoXo,