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