There are many questions I could ask. I am going to focus on questions that feel relevant to the particular artwork I’m looking at.
General
What does this artwork mean to me? Why is it important to me?
What is the story behind this artwork?
What was the first thing I noticed about this artwork?
How does the artwork make me feel?
Does the artwork remind me of anything?
Was my initial reaction different from my current reaction?
What message is the artwork sending?
Is it effective in sending that message?
Do I agree or disagree with the message?
What makes the artwork look so [adjective], and how?
What makes the artwork so [adjective] outside the immediate context of the piece?
What was my main takeaway from this piece?
How would I describe this artwork from memory; what would remain?
Think of at least 3 to 5 questions specific to the art piece.
What do I like about this?
What about this originally appealed to me?
What inspired me?
What sets this apart from similar artwork?
What does the artwork do differently that I haven’t seen before?
What do I want to remember about this artwork?
What could I borrow from this?
What would I borrow from the artwork?
How would I borrow it?
What ideas of mine could incorporate elements borrowed from this artwork?
What other things demonstrate similar elements to this artwork?
What do I dislike about this?
What would I have done differently?
What could have been done better?
What would I add or remove?
Are there any artworks that demonstrate it better?
What do I want to forget about this artwork?
About the artist
What do I know about the artist?
How did life circumstances shape the artist’s work?
What is the artist’s creative lineage - i.e. who/what inspired them?
How did the artist become famous?
What is the artist most known for?
Is this piece similar or different to their overall body of work?
Was the artist conventional or controversial?
Interesting stories about the artist’s life
What does this artwork tell us about the artist?
What kind of questions would I ask the artist?
Where could I see this artist’s work in person?
Meta
What kind of title would I give this artwork?
How big is the artwork?
How does the artwork’s size shape the context of the piece?
How would the context change if the scale was changed?
What kind of person would like this artwork and why?
What kind of person would dislike this artwork and why?
What other things does this art remind me of?
What kind of ideas and opinions does this reinforce?
What was the artwork’s function?
Silly questions
What if this artwork had sound effects?
What would this artwork smell like?
What would the temperature be like?
What tags would this artwork use on social media?
Art style
What do I find appealing about the art style?
What makes the art style distinct?
What are the artist’s signature techniques?
How would I describe the art style?
Is it realistic or stylized?
How does the art style relate to the work?
What kind of creative liberties were taken?
How does the art style reflect ideas of the time?
What genre does the art style fall under?
What do I dislike about the art style, and how would I change it?
Subject
What does the subject’s scale say about its importance?
Is it a bust, full body, etc. What message does it send by its chosen framing?
What attitude is displayed towards the subject?
How would you feel if you were put in the subject’s place?
Medium
Digital or traditional?
What medium was used?
How does the medium affect the style?
How do you think the artist made the work?
What medium-specific techniques were employed?
How does the artwork make use of its chosen medium?
What does this medium offer that others cannot?
What would change if the artwork was done in a different medium?
What techniques could be translated across different mediums?
Composition
How would I describe the piece to someone who has never seen it before?
What is the focal point?
How does the composition direct your attention?
How does the color choice affect the composition?
How is the artwork organized?
Is the composition conventional or clever?
What message does the artwork send with its composition?
Do you agree or relate with the message?
What do you think happened before or after what’s shown in the piece?
How is perspective used?
Does it look 2D or 3D?
Is there a hierarchy, or is it symmetrical?
What kind of details did it take longer to notice?
What kind of juxtaposed relationships did you notice?
Color
Describe the color palette used
What is the most dominant color?
How does the color and lighting impact the mood?
Muted or vibrant?
Warm or cool?
Where is the light source?
How is the light source used?
What is the function of shadow?
Are colors flat or shaded?
Pattern
Variety, or repetition?
Is it geometric or organic?
Ornamentation
Describe the shape
Describe the texture
Describe the form
Line and brushstroke
Are contours used?
How are edges handled?
Describe the weight of the lines.
Is it painterly and free, or tight and detailed?
How do the brushstrokes impact the mood/nature of the artwork?
What techniques emphasize the message of the piece?
Sources
Visual Analysis Guidelines: “Pictures will answer if you ask the right questions”
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