Properties of Art

The categories we use to evaluate

art when we are performing the
steps of criticism
 THE PROPERTIES
Categories of Aesthetics for Critique
Sensory Properties: This is the category that refers to what you
SENSE about the art-especially with seeing and touching.here we
observe the ELEMENTS of art
Formal Properties: This is the category where we evaluate how
well the elements and principles are used to make composition-we really
focus on the PRINCIPLES here
Technical Properties: This is the category where we talk about
how well the work is crafted and the media used to make it
Expressive Properties: This is the category where we assess the
idea the art is trying to communicate or the mood we feel is being shown
Reflective Properties: This is the category where we look at what the
piece can tell us about the person who made it or the culture it comes from:
 STEPS OF CRITICISM
DESCRIBE: what you see-consider
SENSORY/TECHNICAL PROPERTIES
ANALYZE: what you see-consider
FORMAL/TECHNICAL PROPERTIES
INTERPRET: what you see-consider how the
other properties combine to create EXPRESSIVE
PROPERTIES
JUDGE (SYNTHSIZE): what you see-consider if
the properties have used successfully and what
the REFLECTIVE PROPERTIES are saying
Lets try it: in 6:00 partners:
Can be applied to any visual
criticism.
 TRY IT WITH RSVP:
DESCRIBE: what you see-consider
SENSORY/TECHNICAL PROPERTIES
ANALYZE: what you see-consider
FORMAL/TECHNICAL PROPERTIES
INTERPRET: what you see-consider how the
other properties combine to create EXPRESSIVE
PROPERTIES
JUDGE (SYNTHSIZE): what you see-consider if
the properties have used successfully and what
the REFLECTIVE PROPERTIES are saying
How do Properties of art play a
role here?
 GALLERY CRITIQUES!
You go to a gallery.
You get proof you were there-with a date and signature
or the gallery card from the show
Must be a permanent collection at a museum like the
VMFA OR a current artist exhibit that is up for a short
period of time
You take notes on ONE WORK you choose using the
Steps of Criticisms and the properties
You present that information into 4 paragraphs and turn
in at the end of the 9 wks on a printed page with a
gallery card
 Property #1
SENSORY
PROPERTIES
This is the category
that refers to what you
SENSE about the art
You use your five
senses to do this
Touch
Taste
Hear
Smell
See
 Vocab for Sensory Properties
Elements of Art: The building blocks of
art.
Line: A mark that shows the distance from
one point to another.
Shape: A 2D space enclosed by line
Geometric
Organic
 Elements Cont
Space: The area an image takes up and
the area around an image in a
composition.
`Positive Space: The area an image takes up
Negative Space: The area around the image
 Elements of Art cont
Color: The element of art that describes
the reflective qualities of an image
Texture: How something feels to the
touch or how it looks like it feels.
Value: The difference between light and
dark AND the transfer from light to dark
Form: A 3D shape.
 We discuss sensory properties
when we
ARE IN STEP 1 OF CRITICISM.

DESCRIBE
 Property #2
FORMAL Properties:
This is the category where
we evaluate how well the
elements and principles
are used to make
composition-
We can really talk about
the principles here:
Balance
Emphasis
Movement
Contrast
Unity
 PRINCIPLES OF ART
Balance: The visual weight & its distribution in a
composition
Contrast/Variety: Differences between the elements in a
composition
Movement: The path the eye follows around a
composition
Emphasis: An area or areas in a composition that stand
out more than others.
Rhythm: The visual beat in a work of art, usually pattern.
Proportion: The relationship of sizes within a work of
art.
Unity: The elements and principles combining together
to create a whole. (overlapping/repetition)
 We discuss Formal Properties
when we are.
In Step 2 of criticism.

ANALYZE
 Property #3
TECHNICAL Properties
This is the category where
we talk about how well the
work is crafted and the
media used to make it.
We might discuss:
Clean edges
Construction
Sturdiness
Brushstrokes
Use of materials like:
Chalk
Pencil
paint
We discuss Technical properties of
art when we.
Are in STEP 1 & 2 of criticism:

DESCRIBE

ANALYZE
 Property #4
EXPRESSIVE Properties:
This is the category where
we assess the idea the art
is trying to communicate or
the mood we feel is being
shown:
We might talk about:
A political message
A feeling the piece gives
us
The purpose of an
advertisment
The mood of the colors
used
 We discuss Expressive Properties
when we are in:
STEP 3 of criticism:

INTERPRET
 Property #5
REFLECTIVE PROPERTIES:
This is the category where we
look at what the piece can tell
us about the person who
made it or the culture it comes
from:
We might talk about:
Who we think the artist was
What kind of person they
were
What type of
community/subculture they
come from
What they cared about
What they think art is
What the society they come
from cares about
What the society they come
from thinks art is
 We discuss Reflective Properties
when we are in:
STEPS 3 & 4 of criticism:

INTERPRET

JUDGE
Using the Properties in the steps of
Criticism
Sensory Formal Technical Expressive Reflective
Properties Properties Properties Properties Properties

Describe I see
lines
Analyze Clean
edges
Interpret What it
means
Judge Does it
commun
icate
well?