ART 1223, Art Survey Southwestern Oklahoma State University Formal Analysis Handout The visual analysis of artistic form. form 1. In art, an object’s shape and structure, either in two dimensions (for example, a figure painted on a surface) or in three dimensions (such as statue). medium (pl. media) 1. a liquid (e.g., oil or water) with which pigments are mixed to make paint. 2. the material or form used by an artist, composer, or writer : oil paint is the most popular medium for glazing. LINE • The path of a moving point made by a tool, instrument, or medium as it moves across an area.2 SHAPE • An area that stands out from its surroundings because of a defined or implied boundary or because of differences of value, color, or texture.2 VALUE • The relative degree of lightness or darkness. The characteristic of color determined by its lightness or darkness of the quality of light reflected by the color.2 COLOR • The visual response to different wavelengths of sunlight identified as red, green, blue, and so on’ having the physical properties of hue, intensity, and value.2  hue: chromatic distinctiveness of color  intensity: saturation or purity of color, pure color, or mixed with a neutral or other color  value: relative light or dark of color TEXTURE • The surface character of a material that can be experienced through touch or the illusion of touch.2 SPACE • The interval, or measurable distance, between points or images; can be actual or illusionary.2 Other terms that can be useful when analyzing a work of art formally: BALANCE • The design or arrangement of parts in a whole grouping that creates a feeling of equilibrium or equality. 1 EMPHASIS • Dominance: A condition that occurs when one or more compositional elements within a visual field is emphasized and becomes more visually prominent than the others. 1 • Focal Point: A compositional device emphasizing a certain area or object to draw attention to the piece and to encourage closer scrutiny of the work. 3 SCALE • The association of size relative to a constant standard or specific unit of measure related to human dimensions. 2 Questions to consider asking when using formal analysis • What is being emphasized? How is it being emphasized? • What does the artist use to create emphasis? Line, shape, color? • How does the artist use color? • Is there a pattern or rhythm to the work of art? • Is there an overall harmony or unity to the work? Do the elements seem connected or disconnected? • Does the work evoke an emotion? How does the artist achieve this effect? • What is the format of the work, vertical or horizontal? Is it a large- or small-scale work? • What type of texture is seen in the work of art? Does the work seem rough or smooth? • What indication of space is inherent in the work of art? Does the artist create an illusion of depth in the work? How is this achieved? .

1. ART 1223, Art Survey
Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Formal Analysis Handout
The visual analysis of artistic form.
form
1. In art, an object’s shape and structure, either in two
dimensions (for example, a figure painted
on a surface) or in three dimensions (such as statue).
medium (pl. media)
1. a liquid (e.g., oil or water) with which pigments are mixed to
make paint.
2. the material or form used by an artist, composer, or writer :
oil paint is the most popular
medium for glazing.
LINE
• The path of a moving point made by a tool, instrument, or
medium as it moves across an
area.2
SHAPE
• An area that stands out from its surroundings because of a
defined or implied boundary or
because of differences of value, color, or texture.2

2. VALUE
• The relative degree of lightness or darkness. The characteristic
of color determined by its
lightness or darkness of the quality of light reflected by the
color.2
COLOR
• The visual response to different wavelengths of sunlight
identified as red, green, blue, and so
on’ having the physical properties of hue, intensity, and value.2
with a neutral or other color
TEXTURE
• The surface character of a material that can be experienced
through touch or the illusion of
touch.2
SPACE
• The interval, or measurable distance, between points or
images; can be actual or illusionary.2
Other terms that can be useful when analyzing a work of art
formally:
BALANCE
• The design or arrangement of parts in a whole grouping that

3. creates a feeling of equilibrium
or equality. 1
EMPHASIS
• Dominance: A condition that occurs when one or more
compositional elements within a
visual field is emphasized and becomes more visually prominent
than the others. 1
• Focal Point: A compositional device emphasizing a certain
area or object to draw attention to
the piece and to encourage closer scrutiny of the work. 3
SCALE
• The association of size relative to a constant standard or
specific unit of measure related to
human dimensions. 2
Questions to consider asking when using formal analysis
• What is being emphasized? How is it being emphasized?
• What does the artist use to create emphasis? Line, shape,
color?
• How does the artist use color?
• Is there a pattern or rhythm to the work of art?
• Is there an overall harmony or unity to the work? Do the
elements seem connected or
disconnected?
• Does the work evoke an emotion? How does the artist achieve
this effect?
• What is the format of the work, vertical or horizontal? Is it a
large- or small-scale work?

4. • What type of texture is seen in the work of art? Does the work
seem rough or smooth?
• What indication of space is inherent in the work of art? Does
the artist create an illusion of
depth in the work? How is this achieved?

5. 1
Basic Visual Concepts and Principles, Allschlaeger and Busic-
Snyder, 1st ed.
2
Art Fundamentals: Theory and Practice, Ocvirk, et al. 11th ed.

6. ART 1223, Art Survey
Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Contextual Analysis Handout
Contextual analysis can be helpful in understanding how a work
of art is part of its time.
Using contextual analysis, an art historian examines how a work
of art was perceived or received
in its time, how it is perceived today, or at any other time in
history.
Art is not made in a vacuum. It is often influenced or affected
by social, political,
economic, and religious circumstances. Art can be both the
result of change and an agent of
change within that same culture.
It is important to consider parties involved in the creation, use,
and viewing of the
work—which can include artist, patron and viewers. Works of
art should also be considered
according to their intended and eventual use or placement. It is
also important to consider our
own assumptions about art.
Questions to consider asking when using formal analysis

7. • Who were the patrons, artists, or viewers?
• What sorts of records did the artist leave about the creation of
this work? Did the artist
say anything about his her intentions in creating the work?
Were other artists or
workshop assistants involved?
• What were the patron’s motives in sponsoring this work?
• Who was able to see the work? Under what circumstances?
How did contemporary
viewers receive the work?
• When was the work made? Where was it originally located?
• In what rituals was this work used or see?
• What significance does the materials of the work possess? Is
there any significance in the
techniques used by the artist?
• What was the political, religious, or social context in which
this work was created?
• What is the subject? Why is the subject important? Was the
subject depicted or treated in
an innovative manner or traditional manner?
• What political, religious, and/or social messages are being
conveyed through the subject
matter or artistic style of this work? Was this a new or
innovative artistic style?