In last class, my group members shared about writings used in classroom of some different content area. In art classroom, students often write about a specific art work. They describe and make their interpretation about the piece. First they learn about some art terms to use for developing an expository paragraph. They describe, analyze, and finally make their interpretation, called 'Formal Analysis' in art writing.
How to organize and develop an expository/descriptive paragraph in art content?
Expository paragraph is used in art class room for description part in the formal analysis. This is the beginning part of the analysis and is very important because good observation and detailed explanation connect and lead to making a good interpretation later.
There are some components used in the art work that creates certain visual and moods. These components the artist intended to use are the Element of art and Principles of design.
Elements
:They are the building blocks used to create a work of art. they can be isolated and defined.
- Line, Shapes, Forms, Space, Value (lightness/ darkness), Color, Texture
Principles
Principles
:The principles of design describe the ways that artists use the elements of art in a work of art.
-Balance, Contrast, Movement, Emphasis, Pattern, Proportion, Unity
Students should spend enough time to make detailed observation in the art work. They identify the components of element and that of principle used in the piece. Students sometimes get confused with which one to write first and what comes next. There is no preference in the order of mentioning the categories in each group(element group and design group). However, explain about all element components first and then use them to come up with principles of design such as movement happens afterward.
Length of the paragraph could vary based on the art work. some may be extremely complicated with many components while some are minimal with only few components used. Well written paragraph would include at least five sentences. For examples, every physical art works has color (even black and white photograph), space, and shape at least.
If students are unfamiliar in writing about art, using handout materials with a list of components and brief definition of them could be helpful until they get used to with the terms.
Writing About Art Marjorie Munsterberg, 2012.<http://writingaboutart.org/pages/formalanalysis.html>
DESIGN AND COLOUR 1999. JOHN LOVETT, 2012
Principles of Design Kristina, 2010
<http://www.powayusd.com/teachers/kopstad/Art%20Analysis/principles.htm>
Seajin,
ReplyDeleteI think it is a good idea to discuss with students how to develop an analysis in art content. For students passionate about art, I think the idea of having a writing assignment based on a piece of art work will be of interest to them. Giving the students the breakdown of how to technically analyze art helps them to incorporate every aspect they must consider and also helps them to logically sort their thoughts.
I think for students who aren't necessarily as interest in art, this is still a good exercise. The practice of formally analyzing art is something that most students will encounter at some point in their life. In college especially, it seems every student is required to take some form of Art History, and analyzing art will more than likely be an assignment.
Regardless, I think analyzing and writing about art is a good practice for any student. It allows students to write about their opinions as well as what they can see and is another way to encourage students to increase their writing.
Great post, Seajin!! I like how the elemental breakdown of the art piece closely correlates with the the building up and organizational process of pre-writing before the pen hits the paper. I also think art is a great medium for this exercise. Being someone who has always been useless when it comes to my own artistic abilities, that has not stopped me from having an appreciation for the prowess of those who are blessed artictically. In my opinion, this exercise would be successful with the artistically inclined as well as those unfortunate souls such as myself.(haha...) Well done!!!
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