Observation 101

This is an exercise in looking at artwork to determine its significant visual elements (form), what they evoke in the viewer (design) and why the artists is showing us this (meaning).

Form (3a. Respond: Perceive)

What do our eyes see? Pretend you are talking on the phone to someone and telling them what you see (you can’t see “cold”). This is purely objective and concrete (color, line, shape, texture, object, people, posture, placement, arrangement). Try to address only what you feel are the most important aspects of the painting (size, location, contrast).

Design (3a. Respond: Perceive)

What is your emotional response to the formal elements? What does it make you think of, or feel? This should be supported by the evidence you described above in the “Form” description.

Meaning (3b. Respond: Interpret)

Why is the Artist showing you this? What is their intent? What are they communicating? This should be supported by the evidence you described above in the “Design” description.