S3/4 Portrait Essay
To Start –
Log on.
Create Word document.
Type title - ‘ Expressive Essay – Portraiture’ and your full name.
Save Essay – File > Save As > name your essay ‘Expressive Essay’
How to use the slides
Slide 2 - follow each of the 10 steps to make sure you have written about every area you need to.
Slide 3 - Look at how to write a good thought you have in a clear sentence.
Slides 4,5,6 - Questions to ask yourself when looking at the portraits you have chosen.
There is a different section for each of the visual elements. For a successful essay you must write about each of the
visual elements. Go through each question and if you have not answered the question in you essay already then
answer it.
Slides 7,8,9 - Here are lots of describing words and Artist’s vocabulary. Put these words in your sentences.
There is a different word bank of each of the visual elements.
Look at the workbank for ‘Line’ when thinking about the questions for ‘Line’, for example.
Slide 10 - Here’s a writing frame to start you off when writing about the artwork.
How to write an Expressive Essay in 10 steps
1.Write an introduction stating what you will write about. Include Artist’s names and specific
titles of artwork.
2. State which artist and artwork you will write about first.
3. Describe first artwork in detail.
4. Describe everything you see.
5. Say what you see and what it tells the viewer specifically about the subject.
6. Use the question sheets. Ask yourself each question and use work bank to add lots of
describing words.
7. Find another piece of artwork by the same artist. Compare and contrast both artworks.
8. Repeat steps 2-7.
9. Compare and contrast both artists’ styles, subject matter and how they use the visual
elements.
10. Say which artist or artwork you prefer and why.
Due Date – 23rd December 2010
The use of Visual Elements/
Write about each of the visual elements; Line, Form, Texture, Colour, Tone, Shape, Pattern.
Describe a specific part of the artwork.
Describe which visual element you will be writing about.
Use lots of describing words (see word banks).
Describe effect of visual element on –
• Another visual element.
• The person in the portrait and what it tells us about them.
• The composition and how it makes an area stand out.
Is contrast created?
Describing
Words
For example..
‘The artist’s use of colour is important. The cold, pale blues, greys and silvers used create a sad mood. ‘
Visual
Element
Effect of visual
element
Expressive Essay/How to start
State the Artist and title of the portrait you will be writing about.
Describe the portrait in full; say what you see as if describing it to someone who can’t see it.
Describe the Fore-ground, Mid-ground and background.
Describe the subject. If you met the person in portrait describe what you think their personality would be like.
The artist will use the Visual elements and composition to make the most interesting picture they can.
For the best marks you must write about –
The person in the portrait and how the artist tells us about their personality.
How the visual elements have been used and how they affect each other, the composition and the subject.
Your opinion on the artwork and reasons why you like and don’t like specific parts of it.
Composition
This is where the artist has positioned everything in the artwork to –
• Make you look at it; draw the viewer’s eye around the painting and to the focal point.
• Create balance and harmony to the whole space of the artwork.
• Imagine you had to draw out the artwork in the simplest shapes and lines.
To do..
Identify the basic shapes which make up the painting.
Look for things which are lined up like a cross, a triangle or circle.
Does the shape make any area stand out or bring different parts together or point to anything?
Imagine the painting is a see-saw. Has the artist balanced the painting with different things in different areas?
People have been shown to like things split into thirds. Has the artist split up the artwork into thirds? Say what you see in
each third.
The use of Visual Elements/
Questions to ask yourself.
Use word bank to help you with each visual element
Line
Describe what lines can be seen in the portrait.
How have the lines been created?
Have a lot of lines been used?
Do the lines create basic shapes?
Do the lines point to anything or make something stand out?
Do the lines make basic shapes or make the composition stronger?
How does the use of line affect the composition of the portrait?
How does the use of line affect the balance of the portrait?
Form
Has the artist made things look 3-D or flat?
Describe how the artist has made something look 3-D or flat; refer to using tone (light and dark).
Are the forms realistic?
How are the forms different from real life?
Describe how the forms are positioned; refer to composition
How do the forms fill the space?
Texture
Write about how different things in the artwork feel.
Look for contrasts of texture and describe them.
Describe how you think the surface of the artwork would feel.
How has the paint or materials been applied to the surface?
The use of Visual Elements/
Questions to ask yourself.
Use word bank to help you with each visual element Colour
Use describing words to say what sort of colours you see.
Are there colours which go well together? Give reasons.
Are there contrasting colours?
Are there warm or cool colours?
How do the colours create a mood or feeling to the artwork?
How do the colours link to what is in the artwork and it’s theme.
Tone
What sort of light is in the artwork (natural, Man-Made, low light, bright)?
Where is the light coming from?
What is lit up and emphasised?
What is dark, in shadow and hidden?
How does the use of light and dark tell us about the subject and their personality?
Shape
Describe the sort of shapes you see.
Are there a lot of one sort of shape in different parts of the artwork?
Are there contrasting shapes?
How do the shapes fit together?
How does the position of the shapes affect the composition?
Critical/Art Studies/Word Bank
Name/Class
Circle the works you use when responding to an artwork
Art Studies Vocabulary
The Artist
Artwork
Title
Materials
Portrait
Self-Portrait Landscape
Technique
Processes
Perspective
Style
Background
Space
Communicates
Perspective
Narrative
Contrast
Contrasting Gaze
Dimensional Surrounding Interior Exterior
The Viewer The Subject
Figure Composition
Influence
Important
Middle-ground
Viewpoint
Stand out
Parts
Object
Weather
Atmosphere
The Subject Matter
Still-Life
Theme(s)
Focal Point
Represents Transform Study Symbol
Foreground Composition
Influenced
Emphasize Story
Personality
Two Dimensional
Three
Engaged
Experimented
add other words you use..
Image
Realistic
Simplified
Flat
Monumental Small
Decorative Real
Unreal
Challenging Extreme
Skilful
Detailed
Intimate
Dreamlike
Skill
Classic
Artificial
Layered
Life-size
Romantic
Scientific
Modern
Accurate
Hidden
Powerful
Abstract
Tilted
Stark
Contemporary
Slanted
add other words you use..
Composition
Focal Point
Balanced
Balance
Horizontal
Order
Ordered
Depth
Basic
Harmony
Unity
Chaotic
Strong
Symmetrical
Asymmetric
Cluttered
Busy
Arrangement
Diagonal
Clear
Upward
Downward
Cross
Line
Shape
‘Drawing the viewer/the eye in’
Angle
Vertical
Vanishing Point
Close
Distant
Noisy
Direction
add other words you use..
Mood
Feeling
Happy
Chaotic
Tranquil
Distressing
Feelings
Sad
Dramatic
Powerful
add other words you use..
Emotion
Funny
Quiet
Energetic
Angry
Energy
Scary
Tense
Busy
Upset
Force
Mysterious
Tension
Sinister
Worried
Serene
Turbulent
Relaxed
Friendly
Exciting
Dark
Personalities
Quiet
Sunny
Relationship
Moody
Tense
Melancholic
Critical/Art Studies/Word Bank
Circle the works you use when responding to an artwork
The Visual Elements are used by artists to create eye-catching artwork.
They may use all the visual elements in an artwork or focus on using a few or even one.
The 7 Visual Elements are – Line, Form, Tone, Colour, Texture, Shape, Pattern
Line
Drawing
Sketching
Expressive
Moving
Flowing
Linear
Broken
Organic
Geometric
Three Dimensional
Flat
Jagged
Slashed
Crude
Broad
Curved
Sinuous
Dancing
Controlled
Hard
Gentle
Sweeping
Heavy
Depth
Delicate
Formless
Solid
Structure
Forms
Bold
Shadow
Emphasised
Jutting
Formlessness
Carved
Cast
Moulded
Quiet
Fore-
Shades
Funny
Reflective
Summer
Sunny
Rendering
Scary
Tint
Day
Shiny
Rendered
Natural
Mysterious Friendly
Reflecting
Golden
Night
Flat
Flash
Silhouette
Moody
Morning
Energetic
Warm
Sombre
Mixed
Opaque
Unnatural
Sad
Cold
Bright
Bold
Explosion
Muted
Plain
Vivid
Quiet
Spontaneous
Lush
Intense
Washes
Complimentary
Limited
Eye-catching
Earthy
Solid
Blocks
Monochrome Splash
Soft
Wandering
Elongated
Light
Simplified
Outline
Slow
Fluid
Subtle
Fast
Defining
Strong
Chaotic
Restrained
Detailed
Defined
Restrained
Order
Sensitive
add other words you use..
Form (3-D Shape)
Tonal
Light source Direction
Plain
Heavy
Light
shortening
Shapeless Hazy
add other words you use..
Tone
Light Source
Harsh
Chaotic
Exciting
Busy
Light
Happy
Dramatic
Quiet
Sinister
Dark
Sad
Quiet
Tense
Dark
Electric
Evening
Powerful
Hint
add other words you use..
Colour
Palette
Wild Exotic
Muddy
Harmonious
Clashing
Rich
Primary
Secondary Tertiary
Unconventional
Strong
Vibrant
Volume Expressive
Contrasting
Translucent
Luminous
Natural
Subtle
Happy
Angry
add other words you use..
Critical/Art Studies/Word Bank
Circle the works you use when responding to an artwork
The Visual Elements are used by artists to create eye-catching artwork.
They may use all the visual elements in an artwork or focus on using a few or even one.
The 7 Visual Elements are – Line, Form, Tone, Colour, Texture, Shape, Pattern
Texture
Materials
Impasto
Exposed
Melted
Textured
Touch
‘Worked into’
Flakey
Brushstrokes
Movement
Surface
Uneven
Built Up
Action
Jagged
Mixed
Expressive
Painterly
Smooth
Dry
Wet
Brittle
Reflective
Distressed
Scraped
Sensation
Wavy
Organic
Sharp
Smooth
Cluttered
Abstract
Distorted
Pronounced Detailed
Jutting
Hollow
Beauty
Ornate
Explosion
Style
Light
Lines
Swirling
Hypnotic
Dazzling
Across
Minimal
Monumental
Overwhelming
Expression
Scumbled Rough
Cracked
Layered
Layer
Warped
Runny
Trickled
add other words you use..
Shape
Figure
Geometric
Curved
Rounded
Basic
Jagged
Cubist
add other words you use..
Pattern
Repetition
Heavy
Rhythm
Dotted
Decoration
Embellished Symmetry
Sequence Expressive
Brushed
Splattered
Detail
Eye-catching Stripes
Dabs
Fine
Elaborate
add other words you use..
Scale/Size
Proportions
Natural
Focus
Powerful
Fat
add other words you use..
Proportioned
Life-Size
Minute
Huge Massive
Bulky
Slim
Immense
Spreading
Critical/Art Studies/Writing Frame
Use these phrases to start sentences or clearly say what you mean.
The painting shows..
In the painting..
We can see..
This reflects..
The use of..
The artist has focused on..
This affects..
This emphasises..
That makes….stand out.
The eye is drawn to..
There is a contrast between..
This influences..
This creates..
This creates a sense of.
I feel..
In my opinion..
In conclusion..
What the portrait tells us
Subject
Use of Visual elements
Responding to a
Lines
Portrait
Personality
Form (3-D Shape)/Shape
Expression
Texture
Pose/Gaze
Colour
Mood
Clothes/Costume/Symbols
‘Self Portrait With Stetson’
By John Byrne
(Scottish, born 1940)
Oil on canvas
1989
90 x 70cm
Tone (light and Dark)
Composition
What the portrait tells us
Subject
Use of Visual elements
Responding to a
Lines
Portrait
Personality
Form (3-D Shape)
Expression
Texture
Pose/Gaze
Colour
Mood
Clothes/Costume/Symbols
Title Artist Materials Date
Dimensions -
Tone (light and Dark)
Shapes
What the portrait tells us..
Subject
Responding to a
Composition
Portrait
Where everything is positioned in the portrait
to direct the viewer’s eye around the space.
Background –
Personality
Middle-ground –
Expression
Pose/Gaze
Draw portrait, shapes and lines as simply
as you can.
Mood
Foreground –
Title Artist Materials Date
Dimensions Focal Point -
Clothes/Costume/Symbols
Expressive Unit/Art Studies
You should have written about ONE Portrait Artist and compared and contrasted at least two of their portraits.
If you have done this and your essay has been checked by Mr. Hogarth..
Choose another portrait artist from the list below Francis Bacon
Guthrie
Pablo Picasso
Henri Toulouse-Lautrec
Frida Kahlo
Mary Cassatt
Paul Gauguin
Chuck Close
Peter Blake
Henri Matisse
Chaim Soutine
William Strang
Alison Watt
Andy Warhol
Vincent Van Gogh
Peter Howson
James
William McCance
Jules Bastien-Lepage
These are just suggestions, if you have a portrait or Artist you would like to write about let Mr. Hogarth know.
To Do • Go on to the internet.
• Keyword search one artist’s name you have chosen
• Find a high quality picture of a portrait by the artist. Write Title and any other information about Portrait.
• Copy and Paste portrait into a document and print it out. Or, complete task by hand and make a small sketch of portrait.
• Write 10 points about the specific portrait using the help sheets form your yellow folder.
You must write about –
The subject in the portrait.
How the Artist uses the visual elements to tell the viewer about the subject.
How the Visual Elements have been used to make a successful portrait.
‘Portrait of the journalist Sylvia von Harden’
120 x 88 cm
Title – ‘The Scream’
Artist – Edvard Munch (Norwegian, born 1863)
Type of Artwork – Portrait/Figure Composition
Materials – Oil on Canvas
Date – 1893
Dimensions – 91 x 73.5 cm
Write 10 points about this portrait using the helpsheets
from your folder;
• Think about what clues you see which tell us about the
personality of this person.
• Describe how the visual elements have been used to
make this painting interesting to look out.
Write 10 points about this portrait using the helpsheets
from your folder;
• Think about what clues you see which tell us about the
personality of this person.
• Describe how the visual elements have been used to
make this painting interesting to look out.
Otto Dix
1926
Oil on Canvas
Title - ‘Self Portrait With Stetson’
Artist - John Byrne (Scottish, born 1940)
Materials - Oil on canvas
Date - 1989
Dimensions - 90 x 70cm
Write 10 points about this portrait using the helpsheets
from your folder;
• Think about what clues you see which tell us about the
personality of this person.
• Describe how the visual elements have been used to
make this painting interesting to look out.
Title - ‘Portrait of Dora Maar Seated’
Artist – Pablo Picasso (Spanish, born. Malaga 1881)
Materials - Oil on canvas
Date - 1941
Dimensions - 90 x 70cm
Write 10 points about this portrait using the helpsheets
from your folder;
• Think about what clues you see which tell us about the
personality of this person.
• Describe how the visual elements have been used to
make this painting interesting to look out.
Title - ‘The Little Pastry Chef’
Artist – Chaim Soutine (Russian, born 1893)
Type of artwork – Portrait
Materials - Oil on canvas
Date - 1922
Dimensions – 153 x 66 cm
Title - ‘Old Willie – The village worthy’’
Artist – Sir James Guthrie (Scottish, born 1859),
part of a group of artists called ‘The Glasgow Boys’
Type of artwork – Portrait
Materials - Oil on canvas
Date - 1886
Dimensions – 60.8 x 50.8cm
Title - ‘Study after Velázquez's Portrait of Pope Innocent X’
Artist – Francis Bacon (English born in Ireland, born 1909)
Type of artwork – Portrait
Materials - Oil on canvas
Date - 1953
Dimensions – 153 cm × 118 cm (60 in × 46 in)
Title - ‘Portrait of Pope Innocent X’
Artist – Diego Velázquez (Spanish, born 1599)
Type of artwork – Portrait
Materials - Oil on canvas
Date – 1650
Dimensions – 114 cm × 119 cm (45 in × 47 in)