Describing a work of art
Speaking + vocabulary
colours are very bright, strong and clear,
whereas
are not strong or bright.
They’re softer and more delicate.
Bold colours are very bright, strong and clear,
whereas subtle/muted colours are not
strong or bright.
They’re softer and more delicate.
Bold or
Subtle/
Muted?
Bold or
Subtle/
Muted?
If a painting is
_________,
it’s traditional
and not new
or different in
any way.
If a painting is
conventional,
it’s traditional
and not new
or different in
any way.
If a painting is
, it contains a lot of exciting action.
If a painting is dramatic, it contains a lot of exciting action.
• If a painting is
,
it creates a special mood- such as a feeling of
romance or mystery.
• If a painting is atmospheric, it creates a special
mood- such as a feeling of romance or mystery.
paintings show an artist’s feelings or thoughts, whereas
paintings show real objects or events.
Abstract paintings show an artist’s feelings or thoughts, whereas realistic
/ Life-like paintings show real objects or events.
Realistic / ______
Realistic / Lifelike
Hyper- Realistic
Hyper Realistic Art
Abstract = Ambiguous
If it’s
ambiguous,
the
meaning of
the work
__________
it’s
________.
If it’s
, the
meaning
of the
work isn’t
clear- it’s
open to
interpret
ation.
Ambiguous Art
If a
painting
has
a
mood, it
looks
serious
and sad.
If a
painting
has a
sombre
mood, it
looks
serious
and sad.
Sombre
Geometric
Math - Shapes (Ex:
circles, triangles,
squares)
______________
Geometric
Math - Shapes (Ex:
circles, triangles,
squares)
Don’t often appear in
nature
Organic ART
shapes, often curvilinear in appearance
similar to those found in nature, such as plants, animals, and rocks.
ADJECTIVES
abstract ambiguous
atmospheric
dramatic
intimate
dated
lifelike
open to interpretation
pleasant
realistic
pretty
sombre
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE PAINTING
Describing
depict / portray / reflect / show
The picture shows/depicts a scene from…
(A place/person is shown from… (a bird’s eye)
view
It’s an image of…
The painting reflects the author’s view of…
The character looks as if…
in the foreground /in the background
in the upper / lower part
from below / above
THE IMPRESSION AND FEELINGS YOU
HAVE ABOUT IT
Impression
It gives the impression of depth
You have the impression that…
The viewer has the impression that…
It makes you feel…
Your attention is focused on…
The painting looks vivid/expressive
The painting inspires the viewer to think…
I get the impression she’s trying to avoid him
INFORMATION ABOUT THE PAINTER
AND/OR PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE
Works of art
sculpture / sculptor
portrait / landscape / still life
sketch / water colour / oil
painting
style / canvas / stroke / frame
Artist and origin
This is a painting by…
This image was published in…
The photograph was extracted from…
The photograph was taken … in/at/near
(place) … in/at/during (time)
excellent / original / outstanding
Intention
express / show / criticise / use / point out / symbolise
The artist uses … to express…
The artist wants to criticise / show / express…
He probably wants to point out that…
It (probably/obviously) symbolises…
It appears to me that…