Download Analysis of an Old Master Painting:

Analysis of an Old Master Painting:
using geometry to see the elements of composition
Making a step-by-step analysis of a painting’s composition enables you to see into the artist’s
thoughts, particularly the decisions made as they constructed their picture…what they added in,
and what they left out. Each element of composition is studied separately to see how they all add
up to the whole. You will make a series of hand-drawn sketches of the following elements:
POINT (a dimension of zero): A point is a specific spot on the matrix of the picture, a place
that the artist wants the viewer to stop and take notice. For example, artists often use focal points
to denote the important subject in the piece for the viewer. Since a point is just one spot, it stands
out in the picture rather than being a whole dimension.
1. First draw a rectangle (or oval) to represent the shape of the canvas you are
studying. Placed inside that shape, put a large dot for the main focal point as you
see it, and (if needed) smaller dots as secondary focal points.
LINE (the first dimension of a form): A line is made between two points. A composition
employs a multitude of lines both actual and implied. An actual line may be the contour of an
object. An implied line may be the visual direction back and forth between two like shapes or
colors. Lines can be straight or curvy. A line is the first dimension of a form.
2. Draw another set of canvas shapes. In the first add in the exact placements of all the
straight horizontal lines and vertical lines in the picture, both actual and implied
3. In the second one, add in the exact placements of just all the angled straight lines,
again doing both actual and implied ones.
4. In the third one, add in the major curved lines, actual and implied.
SHAPE (the second dimension of a form): A shape is made by connecting multiple lines.
Shapes can be both geometric and organic. Sometimes, artists make their organic subjects take
on a remarkably ‘geometric’ shape. Shape repetition is looked for in a composition.
5. Draw another set of canvas shapes. In the first, add in all the geometric shapes. In
the second, add in all of the major organic shapes.
FORM (defining the illusion of the third dimension): A form is defined by areas of light and
shadow. A composition often juxtaposes areas that are rendered into believable illusions of threedimension with areas that are painted to appear flat.
6. Draw another set of canvas shapes. Add in light shapes and dark shapes, shading
the dark areas with a strong gray. Second, outline areas of form and gray them in,
leaving the areas painted flat blank.
COLOR (defining the whole of the environment): Artists use color to direct the viewer, add
balance to the composition, and create a mood in a piece. When looking at color, don’t just ask
yourself which colors are being used….also ask yourself, what colors are left out. Artists create
their worlds by controlling not just what they choose to paint, but what they choose not to paint.
7. List the colors in the composition. Are they muted? Vibrant? What are the major
colors in the piece. What colors are just used in tiny amounts.
8. List the colors not being used.