Artist Research Analysis

Sometimes you will have to use your best judgement to guess! In pairs try and answer as many of the questions as you can. Make notes around your image. Sometimes you will have to use your best judgement to guess!

How to analyse a piece of artwork? Content: What is the artwork about? What is the subject or concept? Form: How are the visual elements used in the work? Line, colour, shape, tone, texture etc. Process: How was the work made? What materials and processes did the artist use? Mood: What message is the artwork communicating? What is being expressed? What is the intention of the work? Dario Escbar

How to analyse a piece of artwork? Content: What is the artwork about? What is the subject or concept? Form: How are the visual elements used in the work? Line, colour, shape, tone, texture etc. Process: How was the work made? What materials and processes did the artist use? Mood: What message is the artwork communicating? What is being expressed? What is the intention of the work? Duchamp

William Morris William Morris, born in 1834 was a British textiles designer focusing on wallpaper and furnishing designs. He was a pioneer of his time who has inspired many contemporary printed textile designers. English heritage is evident throughout his designs within the natural forms repeated in his designs. This William Morris design taken from his collection symbolises the unique quality of his work. This one of the more subtle pieces of work in his collection, demonstrating the era of when his designs were created and depth of detail to his work. Within this piece of work the main motif is made up of willows and tulips. This portrays his main inspiration of nature. As he said himself ‘his designs were not to be literal transcriptions of natural forms but subtle stylised evocations’¹. This represents the idea that nature can be transformed from its original form to the eye of the beholder. Designers will capture different elements to create a beautiful and sellable design. William Morris’ work captures the natural environment of English Heritage and this has allowed me to explore my own theme of Patterns in Nature. Nature influences his work in a very traditional and subtle way, through the delicate hand drawn organic forms to the exposure of sensitive colours used. This relates to the period of time he created his designs as he was limited by colour and traditional methods of designing his work into repeat patterns.

Abigail Borg This piece by Abigail Borg represents the natural forms that are so prominent in her work. This piece is a little more subtle than some of her other designs however it captures the delicate and precise drawings that feature in all of her work. The repeat pattern is made of a organic half drop repeat. The use of colours create a nice contrast between the light pastel tones of peach and ice blue with more vibrant colours of purple and leafy green. There is limited negative space due to the repeat width and length of the repeat as it overlaps within itself. A British contemporary free-lance surface pattern designer behind the range of wallpapers, fabrics and homewares sold on in stores across the globe and featured in magazines and newspapers worldwide. She completed a degree in Printed Textiles & Surface Pattern Design and then went onto win the Business Design Centres ‘New Designer of the Year 2008’ award out of thousands of other graduates. One of her many clients are Liberty of London who was the first to stock her hand-drawn and digitally printed wallpapers. As well as fabric designs for Laura Ashley and designs for Zizzi restaurants.

How to Analyse an Artist’s Work . Description of the work - What specialism is the piece from: Printed Textiles, Digital Textiles, Mixed Media or Stitch and embellishment. What materials has she/he used and how have they used them. What affect does the use of materials and techniques give to the piece? . Surface quality and Texture How has the artist gone about exploring the use materials to convey texture or meaning? What surface quality is apparent in the piece? Is there lots of layers? Is it tactile? . Perception - What is the theme behind the work? What is the artist trying to convey to the audience? What caught your eye within the piece? What stood out? Is it the background, foreground, certain item or image? What took you a while to notice? . Emotional effect - Discuss how the piece conveys tranquillity, energy, sadness? Does it reflect a fascination with human form, natural or environment? Does it make a social comment or a comment on a technique? . Techniques and materials – What affect does the use of materials and techniques give to the piece? How does this develop the design further? . Influence – What is the artist’s intentions within this piece? Is it one of a series? Does it explore techniques? Is it apart of a product? Does it explore society and media reference? Does it relate to a one of piece or a series . Your views on the piece/artist - explain why this relates to your theme and your intentions Content: What is the artwork about? What is the subject or concept? Form: How are the visual elements used in the work? Line, colour, shape, tone, texture etc. Process: How was the work made? What materials and processes did the artist use? Mood: What message is the artwork communicating? What is being expressed? What is the intention of the work?

Abstract. Angle. Achieved. Arranged. Atmosphere. Bold. Basic. Balance Abstract Angle Achieved Arranged Atmosphere Bold Basic Balance Background Bright Chaotic Collage Complimentary Central Colour Composition Concept Creative Contrast Conceptual Controversial Culture Depth Distinctive Dark Develop Dimensional Depth of field Direction Distance Detailed Deconstruct Effective Expression Emphasize Explored Evaluate Experiment Enhance Effects Express Energy Fashion Features Function Figurative Flat Forms Figures Flowing Fragmented Fragile Foreground Geometric Historical Ideas Initial Intentions Intensity Investigate Isolated Influenced Imagery Imaginative Inspiration Jagged Mixed media Movement Manipulate Observational Process Pattern Pigment Portray Powerful Primary Primitive Qualities Represent Random Relief Repetition Range Realistic Resource Subject Shocking Subtle Textured Tonal Technique Unusual

Task Select a key piece of art work (which links to your theme) Use the worksheet to support you to research the artist. Write an artist’s analysis on this chosen piece of work. Homework: Complete your artist analysis