Writing about your art
Creating an Artist statement about your work.
Document your Art
Document your work as you produce it. Take photographs of your work in progress. Take several photographs from different angles as well as photographs of details that are important. Use good light as well as a backdrop that is solid.
Submit at least 3 photographs.
Write your artist statement and post
Use the flowchart below to help you write about your work. Be sure that you describe your work, explain how you create your work, discuss the big ideas, and why you created the work.
A Critical Method
Follow these steps to enjoy and appreciate art of all kinds!
1 . Describe What you See
Picture Label Information Artist’s name, title, date, size, and category (painting, sculpture, etc) of the work.
Subject Matter Recognizable images of people, animals, things, conditions. What are figures doing? What is large/small, near/far, in front/behind, overlapping, gradated, progressive?
Art Elements is one or more art elements emphasized?
LINE Describe type of lines used, how they direct your attention. Are outlines or contour lines described? Are lines implied? How?
SHAPE AND FORM Representational, abstract, nonrepresentational? Organic, geometrical, concave, convex, open, closed?
VALUE AND COLOR Colors used? Dominant color(s)? Values of black and white, shades and tints? Strength of value contrasts?
SPACE How is space descried? What techniques are used to imply space and depth?
TEXTURE Visible? Where does it occur? Words to describe the texture? Is it simulated, real, or invented?
2. Analyze Its Organization
Principles of Design
Unity How is it achieved (proximity, similarity, continuation)?
Variety Variations in elements, figures, or objects to avoid monotony? Contrasts of color value, shape, form, texture, direction, size, complexity/simplicity?
Emphasis Is there a most important area, element, or arrangement of elements? Is your attention drawn to a specific object? How so?
Rhythm Repetition, alternation, or progression (large to small, dark to light, etc.) of art elements, objects, or figures.
Movement Do elements suggest movement or direct your eyes? Is movement optical due to illusions, or real as in kinetic art?
Proportion Are size and amount relationships normal, exaggerated? Do they emphasize or suggest space or mood?
Pattern Repetition of and element or combination of elements? How is pattern used?
Balance Symmetrical, approximately symmetrical, asymmetrical, or radial balance?
3, Interpret What its Saying
Moods, or Feelings You associate with the work? Does this work seem connected with or removed from your everyday life?
Similes and Metaphors Based on things from your description and analysis may help identify the meaning of an artwork.
Hypothesis, or Theory About the meaning of the work based on your information.
Defense Can you defend your theory with evidence from your description and analysis? With evidence from other sources such as art history or art texts, magazines, and your past experiences that relate to the artwork?
4. Evaluate Its Success
Philosophies of Art One or more of the Philosophies of Art may provide a reason for your judgment.
Other Criteria
Craftsmanship Degree of skill in use of media and technique, and their relationship to subject matter and purpose of the work.
Design To what extent does the work exhibit an organization of materials and visual information that enhances the final form, and supports the content or subject?
Originality Anew, novel, or inventive treatment of an idea, medium, or style by an individual; something not see before.
Fame of the Artist How well the artist is known. Importance of his/her achievements. Affected the work of others. Artist’s style well recognized.
Historical Importance Has it played a role in the history of art, or a historical event, or been owned by a famous person?
Comparison How does the work compare with other artworks similar in content and medium?