INTRODUCTION
Imagine a video with a narrator leading a viewer to the work of art. This could be
the path they might take, or the environment you are passing through. The piece
you chose is based on the value you shared in your class introduction. Share a story
about yourself that tells a reader about that decision. Your selective perception
(from Chapter 1) and this stated value is why you made the choice that you did.
Engage a reader; hook them with a story or an anecdote. Perhaps it is a flashback,
special effects, or a dream sequence. But, always link your writing on what you
observe in the street view of a museum using Google Art & Culture. The scenario or
script will be visually entertaining, the hook, the introductory paragraph to the
research paper. This is still a research paper; please include a complete bibliography,
the books and articles you will be using. Wikipedia, Artstory, and Biography are
not scholarly sources. This is to be a minimum of 150 words.
OUTLINE
Outline in the FORMAT of the paper:
a. The scenario or script
b. Introduce the work
i. How the work is experienced- this is your
aesthetic experience / your selective perception.
What about YOU, what story about you connects
you to this work? This is the narrative hook!
ii. What do you see?
iii. What is the category of art? (This is on the wall
tag)
iv. How does the location affect the experience
v. What is historical context, or critical approach or
the art movement?
vi. What is the pertinent biographical information
of the artist?
c. Describe that work using formal art terms – remember this is what
you see rely on chapter 4 and 5. Make notes so that this section is
describe so that a reader can practically see the image.
i. What is the composition and the overall shape of
the piece?
ii. What is in the piece? (What are you seeing?)
iii. How is the rule of thirds, optical perspective and
/ or the use of foreground, middle ground and
background used?
iv. How are the formal elements being used?
1. Line
2. Shape/Mass
3. Light
4. Color
5. Texture and pattern
6. Space
v. Do you recognize something as a focal point?
vi. How are the organizing principle used?
1. Balance
2. Emphasis and or subordination
3. Scale and proportion
4. Rhythm
vii. Address the material of the work of art.
viii. Address the technique or the process of the
work.
d. Analyze the work.
i. For each thing you described look up if each
thing could be a symbol in art, or a visual
metaphor?
ii. Look up the psychological meaning of the major
colors in support of the image.
iii. Identify the theme; rely on the appropriate
chapter from the book- read ahead if need be.
iv. Tell the story of the image, what is the meaning
of the work as stated by the artists or the time
period or the intention?
e. Conclude and citations.
