Formal Analysis is the process of analyzing art based on what you can see in the work. In other words, formal analysis does not consider the context or the history of the work. Formal analysis is crucial to understanding artworks as often the only information you are provided with is exactly what you see in the artwork itself. What an artwork looks like can tell us A LOT about what it means (also known as its content).
There are several parts to Formal Analysis. In this section you will first read about three classifications of art (representational, abstract, and non-objective).
Second, you will read about the Elements and Principles of Art. The Elements and Principles of Art are how we discuss an artwork's composition (the arrangement of all the stuff we see in a work of art). The Elements of Art are the most basic unit for discussing artworks, and the Principles of Art describe how the elements are interacting in a work.
Finally, you will read about the three components of an artwork (subject, form, and content).
Introduction to Formal Analysis:
Classifications of Art:
The Elements of Design:
The elements of design are the most basic building blocks of a work of art.
The Elements of Design: Line, Shape, Space, Texture, Value, and Color
Line (reading)
Shape (reading)
Space (video 9:47)
Texture (video 4:52)
Value (reading)
Color (reading)
The Principles of Design:
The principles of design describe the ways in which the elements interact in a work of art.
The Elements of Design: Line, Shape, Space, Texture, Value, and Color
Line (reading)
Shape (reading)
Space (video 9:47)
Texture (video 4:52)
Value (reading)
Color (reading)
The Principles of Design:
The principles of design describe the ways in which the elements interact in a work of art.
The Principles of Design: Balance, Emphasis, Proportion + Scale, Movement, and Unity
Ctrl+Paint- Principles of Design: Intro (video 3:11)
Ctrl+Paint- Principles of Design: Balance (video 5:16)
Balance (reading)
Ctrl+Paint- Principles of Design: Emphasis (video 4:10)
Khan Academy: Proportion and Scale (reading)
Ctrl+Paint- The Principles of Design: Movement (video 5:38)
Unity (reading)
Subject, Form, and Content:
All artworks contain three components: Subject, Form, and Content. In short, subject is what the work depicts, form describes how the visual elements are arranged, and content refers to any meaning or emotional impact.
Subject, Form, and Content
Ctrl+Paint- Principles of Design: Intro (video 3:11)
Ctrl+Paint- Principles of Design: Balance (video 5:16)
Balance (reading)
Ctrl+Paint- Principles of Design: Emphasis (video 4:10)
Khan Academy: Proportion and Scale (reading)
Ctrl+Paint- The Principles of Design: Movement (video 5:38)
Unity (reading)
Subject, Form, and Content:
All artworks contain three components: Subject, Form, and Content. In short, subject is what the work depicts, form describes how the visual elements are arranged, and content refers to any meaning or emotional impact.
Subject, Form, and Content
