Formal Analysis Worksheet
Below is a series of prompts and questions to help you take notes in preparation for writing your
own formal analysis. Answer each question while considering the work. It may be useful to
sketch the work to understand the formal elements and composition.
Title of artwork: Hunchback Vessel
Artist (if known): Jose M. Hurtado
Culture/ location: Mexico, Mesoamerica, Colima, Rio Verde
Date/ period: 2nd century BCE3rd century CE
1. What is your initial impression of the work? What kinds of adjectives would you use to
describe it?
2. What is the subject of the work?
3. What is the medium/ media? How does the medium effect the overall appearance or character
of the work?
4. How would you describe the structure of the composition (horizontal, vertical, pyramidal,
circular/ radial, diagonal)?
5. Line: What kinds of lines are used (curvilinear/ angular/ calligraphic/ implied)? Is there more
than one kind of line employed? List two specific lines that have these qualities.
6. How are lines used in this work (to outline, to contour, to construct the composition, to
suggest movement, to add texture or depth)? List two specific lines that function this way.
7. Shape: What kinds of shapes does the artwork incorporate (geometric/ organic/ rectilinear/
curvilinear/ biomorphic/ amorphous/ positive or negative)? List two specific shapes in the work.
8. Do the shapes help to create real or simulated space? If so, how? List two specific shapes that
contribute to the creation of space.
9. Light and Value: How does the work incorporate light and shadow? Are there high value
contrasts or low value contrasts? List the area of the composition with the highest value and the
area with the lowest value.
10. Does the artwork incorporate a gradual shift from light to dark (chiaroscuro)?
11. Color: What colors are used in the work (cool or warm)? Are the colors complementary or
analogous? Are they local or optimal? If possible, list two colors and describe their value and
intensity.
12. Texture: What kinds of textures does the artwork have and how are they created? Are they
actual textures or visual textures? List and describe two specific textures.
13. Space: How is space dealt with in the work? Is there any type of perspective and if so how is
it created? Is there any negative space and if so how does it form a part of the work?
14. Time and Motion: Is there any implication of time or motion in the work? If so what formal
elements are employed to create a sense of temporal passage and/ or motion? Is the motion actual
or implied?
15. Principles of Design: How does the artist deploy principles such as variety or unity,
proportion, and scale?
16. How is the composition balanced (horizontal, vertical, symmetrical, radial, imbalance)?
17. Is there a focal point or use of visual emphasis? How is it created?
18. Is there any visual rhythm and if so is it regular, alternating, or eccentric? How is the
appearance of rhythm created?
19. Concluding Questions.
Formal Analysis WorksheetBelow is a series of prompts and question.pdf
1. Formal Analysis Worksheet
Below is a series of prompts and questions to help you take notes in preparation for writing your
own formal analysis. Answer each question while considering the work. It may be useful to
sketch the work to understand the formal elements and composition.
Title of artwork: Hunchback Vessel
Artist (if known): Jose M. Hurtado
Culture/ location: Mexico, Mesoamerica, Colima, Rio Verde
Date/ period: 2nd century BCE3rd century CE
1. What is your initial impression of the work? What kinds of adjectives would you use to
describe it?
2. What is the subject of the work?
3. What is the medium/ media? How does the medium effect the overall appearance or character
of the work?
4. How would you describe the structure of the composition (horizontal, vertical, pyramidal,
circular/ radial, diagonal)?
5. Line: What kinds of lines are used (curvilinear/ angular/ calligraphic/ implied)? Is there more
than one kind of line employed? List two specific lines that have these qualities.
6. How are lines used in this work (to outline, to contour, to construct the composition, to
suggest movement, to add texture or depth)? List two specific lines that function this way.
7. Shape: What kinds of shapes does the artwork incorporate (geometric/ organic/ rectilinear/
curvilinear/ biomorphic/ amorphous/ positive or negative)? List two specific shapes in the work.
8. Do the shapes help to create real or simulated space? If so, how? List two specific shapes that
contribute to the creation of space.
9. Light and Value: How does the work incorporate light and shadow? Are there high value
contrasts or low value contrasts? List the area of the composition with the highest value and the
area with the lowest value.
10. Does the artwork incorporate a gradual shift from light to dark (chiaroscuro)?
11. Color: What colors are used in the work (cool or warm)? Are the colors complementary or
analogous? Are they local or optimal? If possible, list two colors and describe their value and
intensity.
12. Texture: What kinds of textures does the artwork have and how are they created? Are they
actual textures or visual textures? List and describe two specific textures.
13. Space: How is space dealt with in the work? Is there any type of perspective and if so how is
it created? Is there any negative space and if so how does it form a part of the work?
2. 14. Time and Motion: Is there any implication of time or motion in the work? If so what formal
elements are employed to create a sense of temporal passage and/ or motion? Is the motion actual
or implied?
15. Principles of Design: How does the artist deploy principles such as variety or unity,
proportion, and scale?
16. How is the composition balanced (horizontal, vertical, symmetrical, radial, imbalance)?
17. Is there a focal point or use of visual emphasis? How is it created?
18. Is there any visual rhythm and if so is it regular, alternating, or eccentric? How is the
appearance of rhythm created?
19. Concluding Questions: Which formal element do you feel is most important to the overall
character of the work?
20. What do you think the artist intended for you to think/ feel while looking at this work? List
any additional research sources:
