A) Ability, Absorbing, Abstract, Acclaimed, Acquisition, Acrylic, Adaptation, Adept, Aesthetic, Aficionado, Analogous, Angular, Appreciation, Arrangement, Array, Artistic, Artlessness, Assemblage, Assemble, Assist, Assistance, Asymmetry, Attempt, Attraction, Audience, Audience, Authentic, Avid, Award-winning, Axis
B) Background, Balance, Baroque, Beauty, Beholder, Bias, Blur, Bravado, Bravo, Brushwork
C) Caliber, Canvas, Captivate, Capture, Carve, Caution, Celebrity, Ceramics, Chalk, Charcoal, Charisma, Clamor, Classic, Clay, Collaboration, Collage, Collection, Color, Commanding, Commitment, Communication, Competition, Complementary, Component, Composition, Concave, Concentration, Connoisseur, Contour, Contract, Contrast, Contribution, Converge, Convex, Cool color, Coordination, Crafts, Creativity, Crescendo, Crowd-pleasing, Culture, Curator, Curve
D) Dabble, Dazzle, Debut, Decor, Decorative, Demonstration, Depth, Design, Device, Diagonal, Diffuse, Digital image, Direction, Disorganized, Display, Distraction, Diverse, Diversity, Dramatic, Drive, Dynamic
E) Effect, Element, Eloquence, Emotion, Endurance, Energy, Ensemble, Entertainment, Essence, Euphoric, Evaluation, Exaggeration, Exalt, Execution, Exemplary, Exhibition, Exposure, Expression, Expressive, Exquisite, Extraordinary
F) Facade, Facets, Facilitate, Falter, Fascination, Features, Finalist, Flat, Flexible, Flourish, Fluid, Fluorescent, Focus, Foreground, Form, Format, Forte, Framework, Frenzy, Fuzz
G) Gauge, Genius, Genre, Geometric, Gesture, Glare, Glaze, Gloss, Graceful, Graphic
H) Harmony, Hatching, Hiatus, Highlight, Hone, Horizon line, Hue, Humanities, Hype
I) Iconic, Idealization, Illumination, Illustration, Illustrious, Image, Imagery, Imagination, Impact, Impression, Impressionist, Impressive, Impromptu, Inclination, Inconsistent, Individual, Influence, Infusion, Innovative, Insight, Inspirational, Instrumental, Integrity, Intensity, Intent, International, Interpretation, Inventive
J) Jagged, Jargon, Judge, Judgment, Juxtaposition
K) Keen, Key
L) Landscape, Legendary, Light source, Lighting, Line, Lively, Luminous, Luster, Lyrical
M) Magic, Major, Manifestation, Masterwork, Maximize, Meager, Measure, Media, Medium, Memorable, Minimize, Minor, Mixed, Momentum, Mood, Motion, Motivate, Motivation, Movement, Movies, Muse
N) Neutral, Niche, Nimble, Nostalgia, Notation, Nuance
O) Ocher, Oomph, Opportunity, Opt, Optimal, Ornate, Outline, Outstanding, Oval, Overlap, Overture
P) Painting, Palette, Parallel, Participation, Passionate, Pastel, Pattern, Perception, Perpendicular, Persistence, Perspective, Perspiration, Phenomenal, Pigment, Pinnacle, Placement, Popular, Portrait, Portrayal, Pose, Position, Potent, Pottery, Powerful, Practice, Prelude, Premiere, Presence, Pressure, Primary, Professional, Profile, Project, Promising, Proportion, Provocative
Q) Quality, Quantity, Quick, Quintessential, Quirk
R) Realistic, Recede, Recognition, Refine, Repetition, Reputation, Resilient, Resonance, Response, Restraint, Retrospective, Revival, Rhythm
S) Scale, Scenery, Scheme, Sculpt, Sculpture, Secondary, Shade, Shadow, Shallowness, Shapes, Sharp, Sketch, Skill, Solo, Soulful, Space, Spectacular, Spectrum, Speculation, Spin, Spirit, Spontaneity, Spotlight, Stamina, Star, Status, Still life, Stipple, Straight, Streak, Strength, Stretch, Stunning, Style, Sublime, Subtle, Symbolic, Symmetry
T) Talent, Technical, Technicolor, Technique, Tertiary, Texture, Tint, Tone, Training, Transform, Transformation, Transmission
U) Ultimate, Unbelievable, Unconventional, Unique, Unity, Unprecedented, Unusual
V) Value, Vanguard, Vanishing point, Variation, Variety, Veer, Version, Vertical, Vibrant, Viewpoint, Visibility, Vision, Visual, Vital, Volatile
W) Warm, Watercolor, Whirl
X)
Y)
Z) Zeal, Zest, Zip
flowing
delicate
simple
bold
thick
thin
fine
vertical
horizontal
flowing
10 Words to Critique Tone
When it comes to tone in art, a number of words can help you describe and critique a piece. None of the words are complex, though they may not all be used in your everyday conversations with friends.
subtle
contrasting
muted
flat
light
dark
mid (between light and dark)
dramatic
depth
shadowy
10 Words to Critique Texture
Texture is a very common art element. It is often used when referring to clothing, furniture, or hair. If you have ever painted a wall in your home you are most likely familiar with the many of the descriptive words for texture.
rough
fine
smooth
coarse
prickly
scaly
uneven
embossed
silky
shiny
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10 Words to Critique Shape
Art comes in various shapes. This is true whether a work of art is a painting or a sculpture. Choosing the right word to describe the form of a piece of art is very important.
organic
curvaceous
circular
geometric
angular
cylinder
triangular
cone
elongated
irregular
10 Words to Critique Movement
Movement is seen in every piece of art. Movement helps to create or define a piece of art.
swirling
flowing
gentle
rippling
sudden
stillness
rhythm
dynamic
placement
sensory
10 Words to Critique Scale
Scale is basically the size of the art, considered in relation to other objects. The words used to critique scale are fairly common terms that you have probably used or read in a book.
large
life-size
small
intimate
microscopic
miniature
monumental
massive
grand
vast
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Ten Words to Critique Color
In art, color is very important. This is what helps each piece of art stand out. The color, no matter what type of artwork helps define the piece and the artist. The creator of a lot of artwork can be identified just by looking at the colors, because certain artists use specific colours in every piece of their work.
bold
vibrant
vivid
cool
warm
subtle
pale
earthy
naturalistic
graduated
5 Words to Critique Contrast
While there aren’t as many ways to describe contrast as there are for the other elements and principles of art, it can be important to mention contrast when critiquing a work of art.
dramatic
strong
subtle
minimal
tonal
More Ways to Appreciate Art in Words
The lists above don’t include every possible descriptive word that can be used to critique art. Not all critical comments about art directly relate to a specific art element or principle. Other descriptive terms that can be helpful when trying to describe art are listed below.
saturation- refers to the brightness of color
geometric - refers to the shapes such as circles, triangles, squares, etc.
organic - free flowing or rounded
symmetry - meaning it is equal on both sides
asymmetrical - unequal proportioned elements
flat tones - no tonal effect in the color
negative space - the space around the actual form of art
depth - the illusion of space
broken color - dabs or small amounts of color
focal point - the spot that stands out in the artwork
distorted - a shape that is changed and no longer looks proportioned
Color
Artist's oil painting palette
Chris Rose/Photodisc/Getty Images
Think about your overall impression of the colors used in the painting, how they look and feel, how the colors work together (or not), how they fit with the subject of the painting, and how the artist has mixed them (or not). Are there any specific colors or color palettes you can identify?
Natural, clear, compatible, distinctive, lively, stimulating, subtle, sympathetic
Artificial, clashing, depressing, discordant, garish, gaudy, jarring, unfriendly, violent
Bright, brilliant, deep, earthy, harmonious, intense, rich, saturated, strong, vibrant, vivid
Dull, flat, insipid, pale, mellow, muted, subdued, quiet, weak
Cool, cold, warm, hot, light, dark
Blended, broken, mixed, muddled, muddied, pure
Complementary, contrasting, harmonious
Tone
Still Life, after Jan van Kessel, 17th Century, oil on board, 37 x 52 cm
Mondadori via Getty Images / Getty Images
Don't forget to consider the tone or values of the colors, too, plus the way tone is used in the painting as a whole.
Dark, light, mid (middle)
Flat, uniform, unvarying, smooth, plain
Varied, broken
Constant, changing
Graduated, contrasting
Monochromatic
Composition
Robert Walpole First Earl Of Orford Kg In The Studio Of Francis Hayman Ra Circa 1748-1750
Print Collector / Getty Images
Look at how the elements in the painting are arranged, the underlying structure (shapes) and relationships between the different parts, and how your eye moves around the composition.
Arrangement, layout, structure, position
Landscape format, portrait format, square format, circular, triangular
Horizontal, vertical, diagonal, angled
Foreground, background, middle ground
Centered, asymmetrical, symmetrical, balanced, unbalanced, lopsided, off-center
Overlapping, cluttered, chaotic
Separate, spacious, empty
Free, flowing, fragmented
Formal, rigid, upright, confined
Negative space, positive space
Texture
Full Frame Shot Of Multi Colored Painting
Wendy Thorley-Ryder / EyeEm / Getty Images
It's often hard or impossible to see texture in a photo of a painting, as it doesn't show unless there's light shining in from the side that catches the ridges and casts small shadows. Don't guess; if you don't see any texture, don't try to talk about it in that particular painting.
Flat, polished, smooth
Raised, rough, coarse
Cut, incised, pitted, scratched, uneven
Hairy, sticky
Soft, hard
Shiny, glossy, reflective
Semigloss, satin, silk, frosted, matte
Mark Making
Brush strokes painted in shades of yellow, red and blue, close-up, full frame
Frederic Cirou / Getty Images
You may not be able to see any details of the brushwork or mark making if it's a small painting. Remember that in some styles of painting, all brush marks are carefully eliminated by the artist. In others, the marks are clearly visible.
Visible, impasto, blended, smooth
Thick, thin
Bold, timid
Heavy, light
Edgy, smooth
Exhibiting glazes, washes, scumbling, dry brushing, stippling, hatching, splatters
Layered, flat
Precise, refined, regular, straight, systematic
Quick, sketchy, uneven, irregular, vigorous
Regular, patterned
Exhibiting marks made with a knife, brush
Mood or Atmosphere
Rainstorm over the sea, seascape study with rainclouds, ca 1824-1828, by John Constable (1776-1837), oil on paper laid on canvas, 22.2x31 cm
De Agostini Picture Library / Getty Images
What is the mood or atmosphere of the painting? What emotions do you experience looking at it?
Calm, content, peaceful, relaxed, tranquil
Cheerful, happy, joyful, romantic
Depressed, gloomy, miserable, sad, somber, tearful, unhappy
Aggressive, angry, chilling, dark, distressing, frightening, violent
Energetic, exciting, stimulating, thought-provoking
Boring, dull, lifeless, insipid
Form and Shape
The 3D street painting Salt World
Zetpe0202/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
Think about the overall shapes in the artwork and the way forms (things) are depicted. What sense of depth and volume is there?
2-D, flat, abstracted, simplified, stylized
3-D, realistic, natural sense of depth and space
Sharp, detailed
Blurred, obscured, overlapping, indistinct
Distorted, exaggerated, geometric
Linear, long, narrow
Hard-edged, soft-edged
Lighting
Rainy Night in Paris, 1930s
Heritage Images/Getty Images
Look at the lighting in the painting, not only in terms of the direction it is coming from and how it creates shadows but also its color, its intensity, the mood it creates, whether it is natural (from the sun) or artificial (from a light, fire, or candle). Make sure to describe the shadows and the highlights as well.
Backlit, front lit, side lit, top lit
Having indirect light, reflected light, no directional light source
Natural
Artificial
Cool, blue, gray
Warm, yellow, red
Dim, faint, gentle, gloomy, low, minimal, muted, soft
Clear, brilliant, bright, glowing, fiery, harsh, intense, sharp
Viewpoint and Pose
The clothed Maja (La Maja vestida), 1800, by Francisco de Goya (1746-1828), oil on canvas, 95x190 cm.
DEA PICTURE LIBRARY / Getty Images
Consider the angle or position from which we're seeing the subject of the artwork. How has the artist decided to present it? What is the perspective?
Front, side, three-quarters, profile, rear (from behind)
Close up, far away, life-size, bird's eye view
Upward, downward, sideways
Standing, sitting, lying down, bending
Gesturing, moving, resting, static
Subject Matter
Waterlilies
Claude Monet / Getty Images
This aspect of a painting is one where it can really seem like you're stating the obvious. But if you think of how you'd describe an artwork to someone who has not seen it or who isn't looking at a photo of it, you'd probably tell them the subject of the painting quite early on.
Abstract
Cityscape, buildings, man-made, urban, industrial
Fantasy, imaginary, invented, mythological
Figurative (figures), portraits
Interiors, domestic
Landscape, seascape
Still life
Still Life
PB&J by Pam Ingalls
Pam Ingalls / Getty Images
Before you begin describing the individual objects in a still life painting, whether they're themed, related, or dissimilar, look at them overall and describe this aspect.
Antique, battered, damaged, dusty, old, worn
New, clean, shiny
Functional, decorative, fancy
Domestic, humble
Commercial, industrial
Style
Comp Save to Board Italy, Florence, Still life with fruit and insects by Rachel Ruysch, 1711, oil on canvas, detail
DEA / G. NIMATALLAH/Getty Images
Does the painting seem to fit a particular style or be reminiscent of a particular artist's work? There are many terms for different styles in the history of art, and these descriptors can create instant impressions.
Realism, photorealism
Cubism, surrealism
Impressionism
Modernism, expressionism
Chinese, Japanese, or Indian style
Plein air
Media
Brushes and oil paint, messy spectrum of colours
Dimitri Otis/Getty Images
If you know the medium in which a work was created or on what it was painted, that information can be useful to include in your description.
Oil, tempera
Acrylics
Pastel, chalk, charcoal
Mixed media, collage
Watercolor, gouache
Ink
Fresco
Spray paint
Wood panels, canvas, glass
Size
People painting wall together
Hill Street Studios/Getty Images
Size may be relevant to your description if a work is particularly large or small. You can use exact dimensions, of course, as well as descriptive words.
Mural
Miniature
Triptych
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