Some possible observations in an art critique

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[accordion title=”Line”]

Line

• Has weight: thin, heavy, bold, delicate, varied etc.
• Has action: dynamic, static, restful
• Has character: straight, curved, organic
• It can construct, render, describe, divide, be implied
• May imply direction or movement, define figures, measure, fill, shade etc.

[/accordion][accordion title=”Shape”]

Shape

• 2D, round, rectangular, triangular, square

[/accordion][accordion title=”Form”]

Form

• 3D, sphere, cone, cube, cylinder
• Organic/geometric, man-made/from nature
• Basic forms in nature: hexagon, spiral, helix, branching, meandering
• Dimension/scale, large/small, close/distant,
• Weight: heavy, light, mass/volume
• Character: solid/fluid/hollow, simple/complex, delicate/bold, composite/modular, random/programmed, symmetrical/asymmetrical, convex/concave, representational/abstract/symbolic/decorative, nonobjective, distorted, elaborate/efficient
• Action: static, dynamic, rigid

[/accordion][accordion title=”Edges”]

Edges

• Hard, soft, lost, crisp, fuzzy
• Defined by lines, form, value, light, surface

[/accordion][accordion title=”Surface/Texture”]

Surface/Texture

• Smooth/rough, soft/hard, liquid/solid
• Visual Phenomena
• Transparent/Opaque/Translucent
• Veil/Film/False film
• Reflective/Dull
• Does a range exist?
• Is surface important to piece?

[/accordion][accordion title=”Space/Perspective”]

Space/Perspective

Flat Space elements, 2 dimensional space

• Space division, where & how is it divided?
• Vertical, horizontal, curved
• Balance, center of interest,
• Figure/ground relationships, surfaces,
• Unity & variety
• Created tension, primary point, position
• One focus attracts attention
• Two focal areas create tension
• Three foci create closed form between them

3 dimensional space

• Includes flat space elements
• Illusion of depth/distance enhanced by:
  Light & shade
  Linear perspective: 1, 2 or 3 point perspective
  Aerial perspective/atmosphere, volume color
  Overlapping: closer form hides part of distant form
  Size: closer objects are larger
  Position on page: lower appear closer
  Distinct edges become more diffuse in distance
  Weight of line heavier in foreground
  Foreground, mid-ground, background evident
  Value contrast & chroma are higher in foreground
  Shallow focus, deep focus

Plane versus recessional composition

• Plane has horizontal lines, as if on a stage
  Blocks or holds back the viewer
• Recessional has diagonal tension
  2 point perspective at least
  Movement into 3D space required
  Invites the viewer into the space

Movement in space

• In & out of shapes/areas/form/color/value/lost edge
• Up/down/across/zigzag/radiate

[/accordion][accordion title=”Color”]

Color

• Primaries, secondary, tertiary, complements
• Hue, saturation, gradation, value
• Tints, Tones, Shades
• Warm/cool/temperature
• Range, Key, Intensity, Chroma
• Visual Phenomena/Color interaction
  Halation, Vanishing Boundaries, Luminosity
  Relative hue, Color deception
  Local color, color constancy
  Complements, vibrating boundaries
• Unity, predictability, design, balance, focus,
• Unique color combinations

[/accordion][accordion title=”Value”]

Value

• Range, key, distribution, focus
• Visual Phenomena
• Relative Value
• Reverse gradations

[/accordion][accordion title=”Light and Shadow” last=”last”]

Light and Shadow

• Light & shadow must treat all things equally, that is how it creates unity in a composition.
• Light & Shadow must be consistent in the following:
  Source: nothing can be lighter than the light source
  Position/direction must be established and held to.
  Intensity must be consistent.
  Color must be consistent.
• Visual Phenomena and illusion
  White light and shadow
  Colored light and colored shadow
• Functions
  Aesthetics, unification, integration, relates, constancy
  Illumination, focus attention, definition, modification
  Form, value & color are observed only in the presence of light.
  Light defines form & dictates value and color.

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