Student Requiring help

Schrodingers-Pat · Joined: 17 Aug 2010 Posts: 1

I have an assingment currently on Francis Picabia, need a little help if someone is available.

I need to describe this artwork:

and explain the subject, content, colour, and the over all composition, as well as its mood.

I have been able to do this for other artist and paintings for this assignment, but really am struggling with this one

Im not expecting someone to right the answer for me, thats wrong, im just looking for some help, and pointing me in the right direction

Thankyou very much if someone can

lisa_m · Joined: 24 Nov 2008 Posts: 222 Location: Queensland

Have a go at it and we will add to it and suggest things Smile

Start Simply.

What colour is it?

What shapes do you see? (if you are having trouble.. squint, or look at the image in a mirror - you would be surprised how this helps.)

Can you see similar shapes or tones in different parts of the image that either make it feel balanced or unbalanced? Where?

How does it make *you* feel? (there is no right or wrong answer)

start with really simple obvious things and through discussion it will grow Smile

Boris01 · Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 228 Location: Western Australia

"assignment"

"write" the answer, not "right" the answer

pointing your what in the right direction ?

hope that helps with your studies

velvet · Joined: 14 Oct 2005 Posts: 1655 Location: Hunter Valley

Never been a big fan of Picabia myself, but I'll try to help.

The title of this work is "New York", so there's your subject. Even if you've never been there you probably know quite a bit about that city from tv, movies and books. Think about how Picabia has chosen to portray it, what aspect(s) of New York he has selected, what feeling he conveys to you, the viewer, about it.

It was painted in 1913 and reflects his interest in cubism and futurism. These were movements with pretty clearly defined and well-documented goals, so do a little research on them if you need to, and that will give you some useful terms and concepts for describing the painting.

Check out this article, http://pollocksthebollocks.com/2007/09/20/francis-picabia/ where you'll find what Picabia said about New York, what some critics said about his pallette and other interesting things.

Chrissy D · Joined: 12 Jan 2006 Posts: 1048 Location: Queensland

What movement is it from? Is it Pop art, Renaissance, or Cubism?

What genre is it? Is it a landscape, portrait, abstract?

Is there a focal point? This comes into composition? Is it symmetrical? Do you feel like it is balance?

Describe the colours. It it all bright and happy or dull and gloomy?

You can talk about alot even though it does not look like 'something'