Art Appreciation Part II

Course Expectations Attend 6 out of 8 classes Complete all of the assignments Quizzes Projections Final Test Participate in Class

Supplies Listed on the syllabus Sketch Paper, pencil & pen (any), black, red, yellow and blue tempura or acrylic paint (tempura preferred – washable), watercolor paper or cardstock, magazines, glue stick, clay or play-doh

Introductions

Analyzing what you See How is analyzing different than describing? You don’t have to know the title, describe it in three or four words

Although they differ in size and color, most of the shapes are similar in being rectilinear. The dominant feature is the post in the center.

Because it consists of a series of identical boxlike shapes separated by equal spaces, this artwork lacks not only variety but dominance.

A series of wavy lines, which are identical in size and shape, provide rhythm but little variety for this artwork. The dominant feature seems to be the center from which the lines radiate.

This work consists of a number of similar shapes of different sizes that form a rhythmic pattern.

A B C D

Composition Composition refers to the way lines, shapes and colors have been put together. Who puts these things together? What is this process called?

Analyzing the Composition It helps to understand how a work of art was composed. Breaking down an artwork or decomposing is called analyzing or analysis. Analyzing means finding the relationships in the composition. Two or more things in a work may have something in common.

Relationships

Relationships Although they differ in size and color, most of the shapes are similar in being rectilinear. The dominant feature is the post in the center. This work consists of a number of similar shapes of different sizes that form a rhythmic pattern.

Relationships Another kind of relationship has to do with one thing being more important than another thing. For example, a leader is more important than a follower. All followers in a group are related and they are all related in a special way to the leader.

Relationships Although they differ in size and color, most of the shapes are similar in being rectilinear. The dominant feature is the post in the center. A series of wavy lines, which are identical in size and shape, provide rhythm but little variety for this artwork. The dominant feature seems to be the center from which the lines radiate.

Grant Wood Born in 1891 on a small farm in rural Iowa.

Design There are no exact rules for achieving good composition in works of art. However, there are some principles of design that can be followed: Unity Variety Dominance Rhythm Movement Balance

Unity Unity in art can be compared with teamwork in sports. A team needs five players. But to be successful, the coach must make the five members play as a unit.

Unity If an artwork does not have unity it will appear to be a collection of individual parts. If the composition is successful, you are aware of the whole work of art before looking at the individual parts.

Proximity One way to make separate objects look unified is to place them close together, or in proximity. In Seurat’s painting there are the three boys on the right. A pile of clothing is by the large boy. The man and dog form a group of two. There are groupings of trees and buildings in the distance. All tied together by proximity.

Similarity A second way to achieve unity is to make things similar in color, texture, shape or form. Which objects in the painting have similar colors? Which objects have similar shapes?

Continuation When you view an artwork, your eye often follows a certain path. The flow of vision can be caused by a line, edges of shapes, or the arrangement of objects. This is called continuation.

Variety A composition can be so unified that is uninteresting. A good example is the pattern in a tile floor. All of the tiles are the same color, in close proximity, and constantly repeated. The floor is very unified but not very exciting.

Variety Variety refers to differences. Variety may involve different materials and objects, and different forms of the same thing. Contrasts of values, textures and colors also provide variety. Two much variety can be disorderly and confusing.

Dominance When one element appears to be more important or attracts the most attention, we say it is dominant. Usually the focal point in a composition. What is dominant in Seurat’s painting? Why does he dominate?

Rhythm and Movement When you thing of rhythm, you may think of the beat in music or the movements of a dancer. A painting also has rhythm and movement.

Three Methods for creating Rhythm 1. repeating the same element 2. repeating two or more elements on an alternating basis 3. using progressive repetition, in which an element changes gradually from large to small, dark to light and son on

Balance Which painting by Jacob Lawrence do you like better?