PART 2: Visual Analysis of Seydou Keita work
Analyze the visual forms emphasized in your work, including the use of line and contour, texture, color, scale and other visual design elements, as suggested by your answers to the following questions. ASK YOURSELF WHY THE ARTIST MADE THE DECISIONS
HE / SHE DID TO USE THE VISUAL ELEMENTS IN THIS PARTICULAR WAY.
1) What is visually most distinctive/special about the work? Which elements are most emphasized: lines/outlines; space/depth; light and shadow; textures; color?
2) Is line important? outlines? inner lines? detail? What kinds of lines?
3) What colors are emphasized? What is the effect of the colors chosen? How are colors combined — to harmonize or to create strong contrasts? Do the kinds of colors used draw your attention to a certain focus in the picture? (If the work is black and white, where are the darkest darks [values] used and where are the lighter shades [values]?)
4) What is the approximate size (scale) of the piece? Is the work monumental, or is it small-scaled & intimate? How would it be different if it were smaller, or larger? Why do you think the artist choose that size for this work? What is the effect of the scale chosen?
5) Is texture important – either represented texture (in painting or prints or photos) or actual surface texture (in painting or sculpture)? If yes, how are textures shown? Why are they important? What do they add to the image? For sculpture, are actual textures emphasized? Analyze surfaces.
6) What kind of space is used/shown? Shallow space, medium space, or deep space? Why do you think the artist chose this kind of space?
7) How are lighting and shadows used? Are shadows prominent, dominant? Or is lighting emphasized more than shadow? Or are both subdued, and why?
8) Is there a focal point in the work? If so, how does the artist lead your eye to that point of emphasis? If there’s no one focus, there multiple points of focus? Why would there not be a single focal point?
9) Is there a story? If so, what is it? How is the story told visually?
10) What is the emotional expression of the work? How does it feel? Its mood? The emotions of individual figures? What does the work “mean” to you?
