1. Elements and principles
Line
Colour
Shape
Texture
Space
Form
Tone
Unity
Balance
Scale
Repetition
Movement
Contrast
Different resources will list different elements and principles of art and design. This list covers the elements and principles that are most commonly referred to when analysing artwork.
Suggest that descriptive words, including art terminology, is included in a discussion of the elements and principles and that a word bank resource is developed for the art classroom.

2. Davida Allen Death of my father 1981-1982
Get half the class to write a short description and the other half to write an interpretation. 5 minutes. Then get the half that wrote the description to provide an interpretation and compare their response with the group who went immediately to interpretation. Different?

3. Mt Lawley Rooftop Shaun Tan 2001

4. Note placement of sculpture in the exhibition space. Note plinth.
Manta Ray James Angus 2005

5. Burning Ayer Rosemary Lainge 2003
Take note of titles of artworks. How has Lainge created an impression of scale in the artwork?
Burning Ayer Rosemary Lainge 2003

6. Compare contrast essay: exam brief
Visual analysis
Meaning and purpose
Personal response
Analyses and evaluates
Interprets and comments
on structure, purpose, ideas, issues, beliefs, emotions, attitudes and/or values

7. Compare contrast schema
Paragraph 1: Introduction (with Thesis) subject matter composition, other
Paragraph 2: Comparison a (Topic 1&2) subject matter
Paragraph 3: Comparison b (Topic 1&2)composition
Paragraph 4: Comparison c (Topic 1&2)
Paragraph 5: Contrast a (Topic 1&2)
Paragraph 6: Contrast b (Topic 1&2)
Paragraph 7: Contrast c (Topic 1&2)
Paragraph 8: Conclusion summary of above (including all that was mentioned in the first paragraph)

8. Above: A Closer Winter Tunnel David Hockney 2006
Left: Elioth Gruner
Spring Frost 1919

9. Compare and contrast Gruner and Hockney
Paragraph 1: Introduction (with Thesis) subject matter (rural scene), composition, style-created by application and use of colour, intent and purpose)
Paragraph 2: Comparison a (Topic 1&2) subject matter
Paragraph 3: Comparison b (Topic 1&2)composition
Paragraph 4: Comparison c (Topic 1&2)
Paragraph 5: Contrast a (Topic 1&2)style and use of colour
Paragraph 6: Contrast b (Topic 1&2)intent
Paragraph 7: Contrast c (Topic 1&2)purpose
Paragraph 8: Conclusion summary of above (including all that was mentioned in the first paragraph)

10. Man absorbed in landscape John Olsen 1966
Compare and contrast subject matter and composition – both are similar
What are the major differences?
Man absorbed in landscape John Olsen 1966
Courtship rejected – a joke Limpi PuntungkaTjapangati 1974

11. Above: The bathers Anne Zahalka 1989
Right: Summer at Red Bluff Beach Fred Williams 1969
Some compare and contrast artworks are only similar in a single respect. In this instance it’s subject matter. What are the differences? Identify at least three.
Look closely at Zahalka’s artwork, why do you think she has shown the edge of the painted backdrop in her photo? What about the ethnicity of her subjects?
How has Williams suggested the seaside? Have a look at some other works by Williams? What comment could you make about his style and technique?

12. Above: Holiday sketch at Coogee Tom Roberts 1888
Right: Summer at Red Bluff Beach
Fred Williams 1969
These two artworks have more similarities than the previous two. What are they? What about differences? Are the differences similar to or different from the previous two artworks?

13. The Milkmaid Jans Vermeer 1658
The Cook Anne Zahalka 1989
The Milkmaid Jans Vermeer 1658
Willem Heda Still life with silver pitcher and pastry
Once you start to base the beginning of your discussion of similarities and differences on subject matter and composition you should be able to compare and contrast a range of different artworks that share some aspects and are very different in others.
Note the title of artwork.
Note the date of artwork – both often contain important contextual information.
Killing Time Ricky Swallow

14. Case study essay: exam brief
Visual analysis
Meaning and purpose
Personal response
Social/cultural/historical context/s
Critical and historical understandings
With reference to more than one artwork by an artist/artists from case study research

15. The artwork contains the evidence to answer the question
Visual analysis in the case study question should reinforce the interpretation.
Personal response refers to discussing and justifying opinions. Personal response may also include judgement about the ability of the artist/s to communicate his/her intent

16. STYLE Subject matter Methods and materials (including technique)
Determines individual style
Subject matter + methods and materials often determine a collective style eg Impressionism