Annotations exist to help artists express their thoughts on their work, show influences, techniques, and how they are working to improve. Annotations should explain what was done, how ideas will develop, experiences, methods, choice of materials, how works fit a project, opinions on aspects, use of elements like composition and color, and potential improvements. Artists must use proper vocabulary covering elements like line, shape, texture, and principles like balance. Annotations should be reviewed to ensure all relevant topics are covered to develop understanding.

1. Annotations
-Quick guide

2. • What are annotations?
Annotations exist in your books to help you express your thoughts and
judgements regarding your work as it progresses. It helps you make
links to other artists and shows us your influences. It helps you and the
viewer see your process and techniques and how you are working
towards solving problems and working out ways to improve. It helps
you better understand the formal elements in art and express yourself
using art vocabulary. It lets us see your thoughts about your
intentions, ideas and concepts and how these have developed. It helps
you effectively review and refine.

3. To annotate your work successfully, you should explain:
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What you have done and why you did it
How you intend to use these images to develop your own ideas
Your experiences and emotions connected to an image
How you did it, such as the media and techniques used
Why you chose a particular medium or technique
How an artwork fits in with your project
What aspects you like
How you have used the formal elements
How you could improve the work
What you think you will do next

4. • Using the correct Art Vocabulary
• You must use the correct vocabulary when annotating your work to show that you are
developing your knowledge, understanding and skills. Key formal elements are:
• Composition - how the elements of the work are arranged, ie, main shapes, space
used, symmetry, main emphasis.
• Line - can vary in width, length, curvature, colour or direction
• Shape - describes the two-dimensional outline, geometric or natural.
• Form - describes a three-dimensional object
• Texture - the way surfaces look and feel, i.e. rough, smooth, soft, etc
• Tone - shading, from dark to light or the range of colours used.
• Pattern- repeated shapes, use of pattern in a composition
• Colour- warm and cool colours, complementary and primary
• Art Principles- Balance, Harmony, Rhythm, Depth, Emphasis
• How have you used these formal elements in your work?

5. • What could be improved from your annotations?
• Open up a page in your book and review your annotations
• Have you missed out any of these subjects?
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What you have done and why you did it
How you intend to use these images to develop your own ideas
Your experiences and emotions connected to an image
How you did it, such as the media and techniques used
Why you chose a particular medium or technique
How an artwork fits in with your project
What aspects you like
How you have used the formal elements
How you could improve the work
What you think you will do next
• Which ones are missing from your own writing?
• Make changes to them now or leave notes for yourself to go back and add to them later.
Look through your whole book so far.