The Art of Describing Art
Describing art is more than just stating what you see. It’s about communicating emotions, understanding techniques, and uncovering deeper meanings. Learning how to describe art elevates your appreciation and understanding, encouraging you to look closer and think more deeply.
This guide will give you the vocabulary you need to describe art from all angles — subject matter, composition, style, technique, and emotional impact. We’ll also cover strategies for learning art vocabulary and the many benefits of doing so.
When you master the language of art, you can articulate your understanding, share your unique perspective, and deepen your connection with artistic expression. So, read on for a robust list of words for describing art.
Vocabulary for Describing Art: Laying the Foundation
When you’re talking or writing about art, it’s helpful to have a solid base of vocabulary to draw from. Here are a few terms to get you started.
Subject Matter: Identifying the Visual Elements
The subject matter is what’s literally being depicted in the artwork. Here are some of the most common subjects you’ll see:
- Landscapes: Scenes from nature that focus on elements like mountains, forests, and water.
- Portraits: Paintings or drawings that capture someone’s likeness and personality.
- Still Life: Arrangements of everyday objects like fruits, flowers, and dishware.
- Historical: Depictions of events from the past.
- Religious: Scenes from the Bible or other religious texts.
- Abstract: Art that emphasizes form, color, and composition rather than recognizable objects.
As you describe the subject matter, be as specific as possible and be sure to note any symbolic elements or repeating motifs that you see.
Composition: Analyzing the Arrangement
Composition refers to how the elements of the artwork are arranged. Consider these elements as you look at a piece:
- Foreground: The part of the artwork that seems closest to you.
- Background: The area that appears farthest away.
- Center: The focal point or main area of interest.
- Corners: The edges, which can be used to create a sense of balance or tension.
As you look at the composition, think about these techniques and how they’re used:
- Symmetry: A balanced arrangement.
- Asymmetry: An unbalanced arrangement that creates a sense of movement.
- Rule of Thirds: Dividing the artwork into nine equal parts, with key elements placed along those lines.
- Leading Lines: Lines that draw your eye through the artwork.
Painting Styles: A Journey Through Art History
Over the centuries, artists have developed a wide array of painting styles, each with its own unique characteristics and aims. Here’s a brief overview of some of the most influential movements in art history:
Realism
Realism aims to show subjects as they appear in real life, with accurate details and proportions. Realistic paintings focus on everyday life, objective representation, and the avoidance of idealization. Artists who exemplify realism include Gustave Courbet and Jean-François Millet.
Impressionism
Impressionism attempts to capture the fleeting impression of a moment, emphasizing light and color. Impressionist paintings are known for their short, broken brushstrokes, emphasis on natural light, and depiction of outdoor scenes. Claude Monet and Edgar Degas are two well-known impressionist painters.
Expressionism
Expressionism conveys the artist’s subjective emotions and inner experiences, often using distorted forms and exaggerated colors. Expressionist paintings are characterized by bold colors, distorted shapes, and emotional intensity. Edvard Munch and Ernst Ludwig Kirchner are considered expressionist painters.
Abstract Art
Abstract art doesn’t attempt to represent external reality, focusing instead on form, color, and composition. Abstract paintings feature non-representational shapes, lines, and colors, with an emphasis on the formal elements of art. Wassily Kandinsky and Piet Mondrian are famous abstract artists.
Surrealism
Surrealism explores the realm of dreams and the subconscious, using illogical and bizarre imagery. Surrealist paintings feature dreamlike scenes, a juxtaposition of unexpected elements, and an exploration of the unconscious mind. Salvador Dalí and René Magritte are two of the best-known surrealist artists.
Other Styles
Here are just a few other painting styles you might encounter:
- Cubism: Fragmentation of objects and multiple viewpoints
- Fauvism: Intense, non-naturalistic colors
- Pop Art: Incorporation of popular culture imagery
- Minimalism: Simplicity and reduction of form
Art Techniques: The Artist’s Toolkit
The techniques an artist uses can vastly change the final appearance and message of a piece. Here are a few techniques and terms you can use to describe them:
Brushwork Techniques
- Blending: Is the paint smoothly blended, creating a soft and seamless transition between colors?
- Impasto: Did the artist apply the paint thickly, creating a textured surface that almost seems to leap off the canvas?
- Scumbling: Is the paint applied in a broken, uneven way, giving the artwork a textured and atmospheric quality?
- Dry Brush: Does the piece feature a scratchy or textured effect achieved by using a dry brush with very little paint on it?
Painting Processes
- Underpainting: Can you see a base layer of paint that seems to establish the values and overall composition of the piece?
- Glazing: Did the artist apply thin, transparent layers of paint to change the color and tone of the layers underneath?
- Wet-on-Wet: Does the painting look like the artist applied wet paint onto a wet surface, allowing the colors to blend together in a fluid way?
- Grisaille: Is the base of the painting done in monochrome, often shades of gray, before the color glazes were added?
Other Techniques
- Pointillism: Does the image seem to be created from small dots of color that blend together when you look at them from a distance?
- Sgraffito: Can you see where the artist scratched through a layer of paint to reveal the layer underneath?
Describing Color: A Palette of Adjectives
Color is one of the most evocative elements of art. Here’s how to describe it in precise and engaging ways.
Color Temperature
Colors have temperature, psychologically speaking.
- Warm colors such as reds, oranges, and yellows, tend to evoke feelings of warmth, energy, and even excitement.
- Cool colors, such as blues, greens, and purples, are often associated with calmness, serenity, and coolness.
Describing Color Characteristics
To describe color effectively, it’s helpful to understand these basic characteristics:
- Hue: The pure color itself, whether red, blue, green, or something else.
- Saturation: The intensity or purity of a color. Is it vivid or washed out?
- Value: The lightness or darkness of a color.
Adjectives for Describing Colors
Here’s a starter list of adjectives you can use to describe colors:
- Vibrant: Bright and intense
- Muted: Soft and subdued
- Pale: Light and delicate
- Deep: Rich and intense
- Luminous: Glowing and radiant
Evoking Emotion: Describing the Feeling of Art
One of the most powerful aspects of art is its ability to stir emotions within us. Describing the feeling of a piece can be subjective, but there are ways to articulate the emotional impact effectively.
Identifying Emotional Impact
Start by considering the artwork’s overall mood and atmosphere. What’s your gut reaction to it? How does it make you feel?
Then, analyze how the artist uses color, composition, and subject matter to create those feelings.
Adjectives for Describing Emotions
Here are some adjectives you can use to describe a work of art’s emotional tone:
- Positive Emotions: Joyful, serene, uplifting, inspiring, hopeful, peaceful, harmonious
- Negative Emotions: Melancholic, somber, unsettling, disturbing, anxious, oppressive
- Other Emotions: Mysterious, intriguing, nostalgic, contemplative, powerful, dramatic
Connecting Emotion to Artistic Elements
The key to a strong description is explaining how specific elements create the overall emotional impact. For example, you might say, “The painting’s dark colors and distorted shapes evoke a feeling of anxiety, mirroring the subject’s inner turmoil.” Or, “The bright colors and harmonious composition create a sense of joy and peace, suggesting a world free from conflict.”
By linking the emotion to the artwork’s specific features, you can create a more insightful and compelling description.
Unveiling meaning: Interpreting art’s message
Looking at art can be more than just describing what you see; it’s also about trying to understand what the artist is saying. Here’s how you can dig a little deeper.
Identifying themes and symbols
Start by looking for common themes like love, death, nature, spirituality, or social justice. Then, notice any objects, colors, or figures that might be symbolic, representing deeper meanings or ideas.
Analyzing the artist’s intent
Do some research into the artist’s background, what influenced them, and what they were trying to achieve with their art. Also, think about the time period and culture in which the artwork was made, as this can give you clues about its meaning.
Exploring multiple interpretations
Remember that art can have many different meanings, and there’s no single “right” answer. Be open to hearing different perspectives and discussing the artwork with others.
Example: “The Kiss” by Gustav Klimt
Take Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss,” for example. The use of gold leaf and complicated patterns creates a feeling of richness and romance. The figures embracing each other symbolize love, unity, and passion.
Why master the art of describing art?
Learning to describe art well isn’t just for artists or art critics. It can actually help you in a lot of different areas of your life:
- Better communication: You’ll naturally improve your English language skills, especially your vocabulary and ability to describe things vividly.
- Deeper appreciation: You’ll start to understand and enjoy art more because you’ll be paying closer attention to details and thinking critically about what you’re seeing.
- Better grades: If you’re a student, knowing how to talk about art will definitely help you on tests and assignments that require you to analyze and describe artworks.
- Richer conversations: You’ll be able to have more interesting and meaningful conversations about art with others.
- Personal growth: Describing art helps you develop critical thinking skills, sharpens your observation skills, and even enhances your emotional intelligence by helping you connect with the art on a deeper level.
Summary
When you describe art, you’re really talking about a lot of different things: the subject matter, how the artist arranged the elements of the work, the style and techniques used, the colors, the emotions it evokes, and the meaning it holds for you.
Being able to talk about art isn’t just for artists, critics, and academics. It’s a skill that can help you communicate more effectively, appreciate art more fully, and develop personally.
So, take some time to practice describing art. Explore different styles and techniques. Start conversations about art with your friends and family. Visit museums and galleries, and read about art online and in books. The more you engage with art, the easier it will be to find the words to describe it.
The ability to articulate what you see and feel when you look at a work of art empowers you to connect with it on a deeper level and share your insights with others. You might be surprised at how much you have to say!