Art AppreciationPart 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?

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

CompositionComposition refers to the way lines, shapes and colors have been put together.

Who puts these things together?

What is this process called?

Analyzing the CompositionIt 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

RelationshipsAlthough 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.

RelationshipsAnother 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.

RelationshipsAlthough 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 WoodBorn in 1891 on a small farm in rural Iowa.

DesignThere 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

UnityUnity 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.

UnityIf 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?