THE FELDMANS METHOD

ART I

What is the Feldmans Method?

The Feldmans Method is a four step process to writing about art. These steps are as follows:
1. Describe
2. Analyze
3. Interpret
4. Judge

Describe
This stage is like taking inventory. You want to come up with a list of everything you see in the work. Stick to the facts.
Imagine that your are describing the artwork to someone over the telephone. Express what you see in detail using art
terms from the Elements of Art. (Aim for 3 Elements of Art)

Analyze
Try to figure out what the artist has done to achieve certain effects. Consider how the artist used these different
elements of art by linking them with a principles of design. Consider why the artist might have chosen to incorporate
these essentials. (Aim for 3 Principles of Design- remember to talk about a principle, you must mention an element).

Interpret
Try to figure out what the work is about. Your own perspectives, associations, and experiences meet with the
evidence found in the work of art. In this step, consider why did the artist make the choices he/she did about
materials, subject matter, composition, etc.? What is he/she trying to say with their work? Is their an emotional tone?
Support your claims with three examples from steps 1 (describe) and 2 (analyze).

Judge
In this step, you will compare and contrast two artworks. Find two similarities and two differences (elements or
principles). Compare and contrast your interpretations and finally give your opinion of the artwork. Remember to once
again support your claims with examples from all previous steps (describe, analyze, and interpret).

My Example


Vincent Van Gogh, Starry Night, Oil on Canvas, 1889

Jenny Saville, Stare, Oil on Canvas, 2004-5

Describe (Artwork 1)
1. Artist, Title, Date, and Medium?
Vincent Van Gogh, Starry Night, 1889, Oil on Canvas.
2. What is happening in the artwork?
Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh is a night landscape painting of a town with a large tree in the
foreground and a bright night sky filled with stars and a crescent moon in the background.
3. What are the 3 most important principles of design that you see?
1. Repetition: the cool blue and green colors are repeated in lines that are small brushstrokes of the
entire composition making up the houses, the sky, and the tree.
2. Movement: as you look up the dark tree and back in space to the repeated curvy lines that make up
the sky and the mountains your eye moves from left to right and around the entire
composition. As the lines swirl around the painting they slow your eye in places and
move your eye quickly over other areas.
3. Emphasis: the use of cool colors throughout except the bright warm yellow moon and stars help
emphasize the sky. Your eye is drawn from the tree in the foreground back in space to
the upper right where the large crescent moon is emphasized.
Analyze (Artwork 1)
1. What are the 3 most important principles of design that you see?
1. Contrast: the cool blue of the background creates contrast with the warm reds and yellows of
the face along with the dark shock of hair atop his head.
2. Movement: the thick and textured brushstrokes help move your eye about his face, leading your eye
from one feature to the next.
3. Emphasis: the use of cool colors in the background help emphasize the face. Your eye is drawn the
the dark lips and then up to his nose and finally his lifelike eyes which are emphasized
by the dark contrast next to the bright white of the eye.
Interpret (Artwork 1)
1. What is the artist intent or meaning of the artwork? Why?
Van Gogh used small brushstrokes and bold colors to create an energetic or excited feeling. He is
putting the energy he feels from the starry night sky by emphasizing the light with the contrast of warm and
cool colors and creating visual movements with his line that move the eye rapidly over the sky and town in the
painting.
2. What is the feeling or mood of the artwork? Why?
The feeling is an excited one, almost as if something is about to happen to this town that is so still while
the sky above it moves so rapidly with excitement. The contrast in colors between the darker town and brighter,
more active colors of the sky also give it a sense that something is about to happen but the town is not yet
aware of it.
Describe (Artwork 2)
1. Artist, Title, Date, and Medium?
Jenny Saville, Stare, 2004-5, Oil on Canvas.
2. What is happening in the artwork?
Stare by Jenny Saville is a portrait of a young boy whose large eyes stare out blankly at the view,
mouth hanging open in almost boredom.
3. What are the 3 most important elements you see?
1. Color:
a limited pallet cool blues make up the background while warm reds, yellows, and whites
make up the features of the boy. Dark black/blue make up his hair and the stripes of his
collar.
2. Value:
ranges in light to dark colors help give 3-dimensional form to the boys face.
3. Texture:
fat and layered brushstrokes give the painting an interesting texture, adding to the boys
ruddy appearance.

Analyze (Artwork 2)
1. What are the 3 most important principles of design that you see?
1. Contrast: the cool blue of the background creates contrast with the warm reds and yellows of
the face along with the dark shock of hair atop his head.
2. Movement: the thick and textured brushstrokes help move your eye about his face, leading your eye
from one feature to the next.
3. Emphasis: the use of cool colors in the background help emphasize the face. Your eye is drawn the
the dark lips and then up to his nose and finally his lifelike eyes which are emphasized
by the dark contrast next to the bright white of the eye.
Interpret (Artwork 2)
1. What is the artist intent or meaning of the artwork? Why?
Savilles use of contrast and emphasis help give the painting a sense of agitation and maybe even
anxiety. Her use of an oversized canvas plus the large dark eyes that stare unblinkingly at the viewer make
one question why the boy is expression is one of boredom or blankness given the addition of his ruddy, red
complexion.
2. What is the feeling or mood of the artwork? Why?
Saville used a limited color pallet and thick, heavy brushstrokes to create a feeling of uneasiness. She
utilizes the generic blank stare of a young boy on a canvas that is larger than life to make the viewer feel
exposed and perhaps even unworthy or loved. The dark eyes, swollen red lips, and ruddy complexion add to
the feeling that perhaps the boy is unimpressed by the viewer or maybe even done with whatever situation he
is in.
Judge
1. Two similarities (elements or principles).
Both artworks use color and emphasis to move the viewers eye around the composition. Van Gogh
uses small curved strokes of color to move your eye around the sky and across the village while Saville uses
fat globs of color to move your eye from one feature on the boys face to the next. The emphasis of size and
bright contrasting colors also does this as well.
2. Two differences (elements or principles).
Both artworks however differ in their use of contrast and movement. Van Gogh uses contrast between
cool blues and greens against warm yellows and brights while Savilles contrast manly focuses on value- light
vs. dark. Van Goghs movement through the piece is also smooth, brushstrokes (while not completely blended)
help guide your eye seamlessly through the piece while Savilles patchy and fat strokes cause harsh and
sudden starts and stops as your eye moves about the composition.
3. Compare/Contrast interpretation of both.
While Van Gogh and Saville both use heavy texture and a limited color pallet of contrasting colors, the
feeling behind both pieces are very different. The excitement of Starry Night, as evident by the fun bright colors
and grouped lines, is very different from Savilles harsh and darker intent in her heavy brushstrokes and
minimal splashes of bright color on an otherwise muted pallet.
4. Your Opinion
I think both are successful in how the artists have used color and movement to express a feeling or
idea and both balance their composition by evenly placing the elements in the composition, directing your eye
over the entire work.

Practice

1. Grant Wood,
Parson Weems Fable,
1936, Oil on Canvas

2. Jan Van Eyck,

Arnolfini Wedding, 1434,
Oil on Oak Panel

Artwork 1: Describe
Artist:
Title:
Date:
Medium:
In the space below, describe what you see. List 3 elements of art and how they are used in the work.

Analyze
What 3 Principles of Art are being used and how? (Link the elements of art with the principles of design!)

Interpret
What is the meaning or intent of the work? What is the emotional tone or feeling of the work? Support your
claims with evidence from Describe and Analyze.

Artwork 2: Describe
Artist:
Title:
Date:
Medium:
In the space below, describe what you see. List 3 elements of art and how they are used in the work.

Analyze
What 3 Principles of Art are being used and how? (Link the elements of art with the principles of design!)

Interpret
What is the meaning or intent of the work? What is the emotional tone or feeling of the work? Support your
claims with evidence from Describe and Analyze.

Judge
Compare and contrast the two paintings using evidence from Describe, Analyze, and Interpret to support your
claims.

POLL: DID THIS HELP YOU?

I understand this pretty well and I feel comfortable!
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