art 100 visual analysis
You will write and submit a visual analysis paragraph, in which you will describe, in rich detail, how the artist used either a specific visual element, or a specific principle of design in different areas within a work of art.
For this exercise, you will select and write about any work of art found in Google Arts and Culture. (Links to an external site.)
Please review the Visual Elements and Principles of Design Guide I attached below.
Instructions
Step One: Write a Topic Sentence
Write a concise topic sentence that clearly states how either a specific visual element or design principle is used, generally, to reinforce the power, meaning, emotion, or mood in a work of art that you select. Please refer to the examples below. Please note that in each example the writer has selected a single visual element or single design principle to write about.
Example of Topic Sentence that includes a Visual Element
In Impression: Sunrise, the artist, Monet, uses atmospheric perspective to evoke a sense of space that is both mysterious and convincing.
Example of Topic Sentence that includes a Principle of Design
In The Incredulity of Saint Thomas, the artist, Caravaggio uses directional forces to lead the viewer through the narrative of the painting.
Step Two: Write a Visual Analysis Paragraph
Write a visual analysis paragraph that supports the topic sentence you wrote in Step One. You will describe, in rich detail, how the artist used either a specific visual element, or a specific principle of design in different areas within the artwork. Your paragraph must support your topic sentence and you must include at least three supporting observations from the work of art that you select.
- Please refer to the Visual Analysis Paragraphs I attached below.
- Please format your submission like these examples. Include a section for the Topic Sentence and a section for the Visual Analysis Paragraph.
This paragraph must be between 6-7 sentences in length. Please write complete sentences that are clear, descriptive, and precisely convey the meaning you intend. In other words, when you read the paragraph back to yourself, does it communicate what you are really trying to say?
Please note: Stay focused on the element or principle you are writing about. It’s easy to wander off into the weeds and begin writing about an element or principle that you didn’t state in your topic sentence. You may refer to other elements or principles in your paragraph, but it needs to be clear that the focus of your paragraph is the element or principle stated in your topic sentence. For example, if you were to choose to write about how an artist used motion in their work, you might describe how motion was implied through the artist’s use of repetition, etc., but it must be clear that your paragraph is about motion.
