Basic 4 · Creative Arts · Appreciating and Appraising
Analysing and Appreciating Visual Artworks
In this topic you will analyse and appreciate visual artworks using guidelines.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Use elements and principles of art to analyse artworks
- Use a guideline to appreciate artworks
- Give helpful feedback
What you already know
- Looking at and talking about art (Basic 1–3)
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
- Strand
- Visual Arts
- Sub-strand
- Appreciating and Appraising
- Indicator
- B4.1.4.6.1 – Analyse and appreciate own and others' visual artworks based on the developed guidelines
Introduction
Art critics look closely at artworks and explain how they were made and what they mean. You will learn to analyse art like a critic.
1. Principles of Art
| Principle | Meaning |
|---|---|
| balance | parts of the artwork look even |
| contrast | strong differences, like light and dark |
| rhythm | repeated elements that create movement |
| emphasis | the main point that catches the eye |
| unity | all parts work together |
2. Appreciation Guideline
| Step | Question |
|---|---|
| describe | What do I see? Title, artist, media, size? |
| analyse | How are line, colour, shape, texture and the principles used? |
| interpret | What is the meaning or message? |
| judge | Is it successful? What is good? What can improve? |
3. Example Analysis
"This kente cloth uses bright yellow, green and red. The repeated strips create rhythm. Contrast between dark and bright colours makes the pattern stand out. It shows the skill and culture of Asante and Ewe weavers."
New words
- analyse
- To examine the parts carefully.
- appreciate
- To recognise the value of something.
- principle
- A rule for how elements are arranged.
- contrast
- A strong difference.
- emphasis
- The part that stands out most.
- critic
- A person who judges artworks.
Summary
- Principles of art include balance, contrast, rhythm, emphasis and unity.
- To appreciate art: describe, analyse, interpret, judge.
- Analysis looks at how elements and principles are used.
- Feedback should be helpful and respectful.
Class activity: Critic's Corner
- Choose an artwork from the class or a photograph.
- Use the four steps to analyse it.
- Write two sentences of feedback.
You need: Learners’ own artworks, Label cards cut from manila paper, String, Clothes pegs
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Repeated elements that create movement are…
- A. Rhythm
- B. Balance
- C. Contrast
- D. Texture
Show answer
Answer: RhythmThat is rhythm.2. A strong difference, like light and dark, is…
- A. Contrast
- B. Unity
- C. Balance
- D. Emphasis
Show answer
Answer: ContrastThat is contrast.3. Which step explains the message of an artwork?
- A. Interpret
- B. Describe
- C. Analyse
- D. Measure
Show answer
Answer: InterpretInterpreting finds meaning.4. Balance means parts of an artwork look even.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueThat is balance.5. Critics only describe colours and never judge.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseCritics also judge.6. The part that stands out most is the ______.
Show answer
Answer: emphasisThat is emphasis.7. Name three principles of art.
Show answer
Answer: Any three: balance, contrast, rhythm, emphasis, unity.These guide arrangement.8. Analyse a kente cloth using two principles.
Show answer
Answer: E.g. Rhythm from repeated strips; contrast between dark and bright colours.Use principles correctly.
Homework
- Analyse a picture in a calendar or book using the four steps.