30. Answer the questions below by giving three or four sentences to each step. Describe the painting you like.

There is a number of ways to describe what you see in a painting. These suggestions and questions can help guide you.

1) You can begin with general information on the painting: the title, the name of the artist, the type (Is it a portrait of someone, a still life or a landscape, etc.?), the year of origin, the location. What style is the painting done in? Is it realistic, impressionistic, abstract, etc.?), the size of the work and the medium used.

… (image) is a painting by … (artist), painted in … (year).

… (image), painted in … (year), is a work by … (artist)

… (artist) painted … (image) in … (year).

… (image) is a famous painting by … (artist).

Describe the subject matter. List what you see in the painting: Who or what is the painting about?

The painting shows a scene from …

It’s an image of … (place, person, scene).

The picture describes … (springtime scene, oppressive surroundings, etc.)

The picture shows … (place, person, scene) from a distance, a bird’s eye view, etc.

2) Composition.

How is the work organized? Is the work arranged symmetrically / asymmetrically/ in a pyramid / in a vertical format? Does it have geometric shapes?

Look for the balance in the painting. Are there more elements on one side than the other? Is the picture space divided somehow, for example, diagonally?

Define the focal point.

What is the most important part of the scene? Where did your eyes go first? What details has the artist used deliberately to bring the picture to life? Does some shape or color deliberately draw your attention to one corner of the canvas?

What can you see?

In the picture you can see …

(Position: in the foreground, in the background, in the top/ bottom / left-hand corner; on the left/right, in the upper part, in the lower part, in the left part, in the right part, in the central part, in front of, behind, next to …, in the middle)

there is / are …

… is (position: in the foreground, in the background, in the top/ bottom / left-hand corner; on the left/right, in the upper part, in the lower part, in the left part, in the right part, in the central part, in front of, behind, next to …, in the middle).

… is represented standing / sitting

… is posed / silhouetted against smth

The artist places the figures against ….

The artist defines …. more sharply.

…. blends with …

… conveys a sense of space.

… merge into a single entity

The artist accentuates …. .

3) Describe the colour scheme, light and shade effect.

Are many colours used?

Are the colours dark or bright?

Do the colours blend imperceptibly?

Are the brushstrokes left visible?

Does the artist emphasize contours purposely?

Is there anything in the picture that is scarcely discernible?

The artist mainly uses … (subdued light, dark, dull, loud, muted,warm) colours, glum lighting, heavy shades.

The use of …. colours (gentle brush strokes) conveys the atmosphere of …

It is painted in clear and transparent tone, in a colour scheme where ….. predominate.

The artist combines form and colour into harmonious unity.

It produces calming effect.

4) Interpretation.

What is happening? And what is the artist trying to say? Explain what you think the meaning of the painting is.

Is there any political, historical, emotional or spiritual meaning associated with the painting?

The artist mainly uses … (colours /forms/…)

Important elements are highlighted.

The artist / painter uses … to express …

The fact that …. Is depicted … serve to decrease / increase the emphasis on ….

The artist (probably) wants to express / show …

It is obvious that the artist wants to express / show …

What the artist / painter wants to express / show is …

What the artist / painter wants to point out is …

I think / believe / am sure that …

It seems / appears to me that …

… symbolizes …

… is typical of …

5) Impression.

What is the mood of the work? What mood or feeling did it bring out in you? What emotions does this picture convey to you? What feelings (moods, ideas, etc.) does it evoke in the viewer?

The first impression that the painting creates is …

Upon closer inspection one can discern …

Closer examination of his work reveals …

Looking even more carefully one can see …

The painting may be sentimental, puzzling, dreamy, intriguing, charming, detached, evocative, thought-provoking, moving, lyrical, romantic, dull, crude, chaotic, obscure and unintelligible, depressing, disappointing, cheap and vulgar

The painting gives you the sense (feeling) of security, confusion, romance, isolation, tranquility, innocence, sensitivity, warmth, trust / mistrust, friendship, distance, fear, repression, insincerity, etc.

The picture makes the viewer feel … (sad/happy, relaxed, etc.)

The picture inspires the viewer to think about …

To what extent do you think these emotions are unique to you or do you think other people would experience similar emotions?

In what ways has the artist emphasized these emotions through his / her layout of the painting, the style of painting, the brushwork, use of facial expression?

… (person) seems to look at the viewer.

His / Her eyes seem to follow the viewer.

The figures look as if they exist in three dimensions.

The viewer has the impression that the people in the picture are alive.

The viewer’s attention is focused on …

To the alert eye it will become apparent …

The viewer finds it difficult to withdraw his eyes from …

6) Judgment. With all the facts and clues that you have gathered throughout this process you should now express your personal likes and dislikes about the painting.

What do you think of the work?

Does it exemplify a high degree of artistic skill?

Does the size of the canvas (the colour scheme, the play of colours, etc.) contribute to the effect of the painting?

Is it an exquisite piece of painting, an unsurpassed masterpiece, distinguished by a marvelous sense of colour and composition, original, poetic in tone and atmosphere?