Feldman’smethoda way TO LOOK AT ART

your art 1 midterm exam

Feldman’smethod

has 4 steps

d A I Jdescribe analyze interpret judge

step 1:DESCRIBE

just the facts, ma’am

a. artist

b. title

c. date

d. medium

e. descriptive sentence

f. 3 most important elements of artD

ESCR

IBE

tips for describingWhen describing COLOR, include…

• its name (red, green)• its value (light, dark)• its intensity (bright or dull color)• also use warm/cool, complementary colors, primary colors,

secondary colors, analogous colors, etc.

When describing SPACE, think about…• does it feel “flat” or “deep” ? what is in the foreground,

middle ground, and/or background?• also use positive and negative space

When describing SHAPE, think about…• is it geometric or organic?

When describing FORM, think about...• how has the artist used SHAPE and VALUE to make

something look three-dimensional?DESCR

IBE

step 2:analyze

a pattern emerges

3 most important principles of designanaly

ze

and to talk about a principle, you must mention an element

example:The REPETITION of BRIGHT ORANGE COLOR throughout the painting helps the viewer’s eye to move from the bottom left corner, through the middle, and finally, to the top of the painting.

tips for analyzing (Remember to include what element shows your principle!)

When describing MOVEMENT, remember…• this is about VISUAL movement - as in, how does your eye

move across the image?

When describing BALANCE, think about…• is it symmetrical or asymmetrical?

When describing UNITY, think about…• how has the artist created a sense of “oneness”?

When describing PROPORTION, think about...• how do the elements visually relate / compare to each other?

CONTRAST vs. EMPHASIS• CONTRAST is when things are different, EMPHASIS is

when something specific stands out

analy

ze

alert:new information

PABLO PICASSO

“first communion”1895/1896oil on canvas

“Le guitariste”1910oil on canvas

“les demoiselles d’avignon”1907oil on canvas

Perceptual•realistic

•the way things actually look in real life

•from “perceive” or “perception”

expressive

•recognizable - but not “real”

•somehow exaggerated or simplified

non-objective•“non-object”

•nothing is clearly recognizable

•just the elements and principles

step 3:interpret

the plot

thickens

a. it the art perceptual, expressive, or non-objective? Why? Be specific.

b. what is your claim for the interpretation of this artwork?

explain what you think the meaning or the intent of the artwork is and “prove it” mentioning at least one element and one principlein

ter

pr

et

step 4:judge

finding the motive

a. counterclaim1. come up with an

alternate interpretation (meaning or intent)

2. “prove” this one mentioning at least one element and one principle

b. conclusion1. which one is stronger,

your claim or your counter-claim?

2. why?

jud

ge

the end.

you rock.