A Critical Vocabulary

(Use these words when analysing your own work and other artists or cultures work.)

Pattern Shape
diamonds negative simple angular harmonious profile
embellish order spiral body image rough-hewn
flowing ornamental stamp conical knead sculpt
fluid overlap stencil figure model sharp
geometric plain structure form mould silhouette
irregular positive symmetric frame outline uniform
natural repeat uniform geometric precise vague

Form and space Colour

advance motif scale blend intense saturated
angled natural scatter bright luminous secondary
carve ornament solid clash mixed soft
cast perspective stacked cold opaque tint
decorate pointed structure deep pale translucent
depth proportion tactile dull pastel transparent
human recede volume glowing primary vibrant
monumental rounded woven harmonious pure warm

Line Tone
angular flowing scribble bleach dark harsh
broken fluent sweeping bright fade intense
confident free tight contrast fair smooth
faint hesitant woolly crisp gradation sombre

Light Feeling
artificial gentle natural alive exciting lonely
dapple harsh night atmospheric expressive nostalgic
dark haze shading cheeky fresh proud
ethereal highlight shadow delicate humorous sad
evening intense soft depressing imposing shocking
fall of light light source dignified intimidating threatening
fierce midday tone disturbing joyous uplifting
Composition
background distant middleground scale
blurred eye-line near shape
complex focus perspective sharp
confused foreground plane space
design form proportion symmetry

Texture
bobbly flat jagged sharp splatter
coarse glaze matt shiny think
cross-hatching hatching rough smooth thin
fine impasto scumble soft wash

Kind of art
abstract fake mundane representational
copied fantasy noble seascape
derivative figurative non-representational sentimental
distorted impressionistic pastiche still life
emotional impressive pattern surreal
exaggerated interior portrait symbolic
exterior landscape religious twee

What is it?
aquatint ceramic etching model screen print
assemblage collage fresco mural sculpture
bas-relief design gouache painting sketch
caricature diptych lithograph photograph stencil
cartoon drawing logo print tempera
carving easel painting miniature relief triptych

Writing notes about your own work

What materials / techniques / processes have you used?
What are the potential / limitations for these techniques / materials?
What was the purpose of this work? (experiment? observation? design?)
Why have you chosen that subject matter?
Whats your opinion of the work? Is it successful?
Has it inspired any new ideas? or confirmed any thoughts?
Artist Analysis
Which artist are you analysing?

What genre is their work? (painting / sculpture / textiles piece / print / drawing).

What techniques, materials and processes have they used? (Descrbe in detail.
Maybe research the techniques.)

Why have you chosen this artist? (explain how it links to your project, discuss how
you recreated his artwork to give you ideas for your sculpture).

Describe the work in terms of composition, colour, tone, texture, form, line, shape,
pattern, mood / atmosphere.
e.g. This painting has a flowing composition as all the shapes direct the eye around the
piece. The colours used are bright and vivid. This suggests action and possibly anger. Tone
has been used to show the forms as three-dimensional and show the strong lights and dark
shadows. The lines used are strong and angular, again suggesting fierce emotion and fury.

What do you think the meaning of the work is? (In your opinion, what does it mean?
Why was It created?)

What do you think is successful about the work?

What would you change? How?

How will this work influence your own work?