Expressive Terms

Expressive Terms

1. Pose (portrait only)

   • How is the body positioned?
     • What is their body language?
     • Where are they looking?

2. Subject Matter

   • What is in the painting?
     • Why do they feature in the painting?

3. Composition

   • How the subject has been placed
     • What is the main focus point?
     • How have the objects been placed?
     • How do these draw the eye around it?

4. Tone

   • The amount of light on an object.
     • Identify the main type of light and its source
     • Identify highlights used to draw the eye
     • Identify shadow to provide contrast

5. Colour

   • Identify overall approach to colour and its overall effect on mood
     • Bold, vibrant, muted, somber
     • Name the specific colours

6. Line

   • tie in with composition,line draws your eye around the face
     • Horizontial, draws eye across
     • Vertical, draws eye up
     • Diagonal, creates movement

7. Shape

   • Usually most clearly identified when there is a lack of tone
     • Geometric, organic, formal, informal

8. Media Handling/Texture

   • The way the paint has been applied to the canvas
     • Rough/smooth
     • energetic/calm
     • Abstract/realistic

9. Pattern

   • Repeated line, shape and colour
     • adds interest, energy and movement