Ultimately, the elements that comprise form, subject matter, and meaning are all tied up in what you see, or what you are supposed to see. So a superb way to analyze the work is to begin looking at the formal elements, and figure out how they build up to create meaning and content. Think of each element as a rung on a ladder that you must climb, where subject matter and meaning are at the top. Formal Elements Start asking yourself questions about the elements. A place to start might be color.
Lines are central to a painting, too.
They can slice across in a still life to divide, or meander through a landscape to connect. Diagonal ones convey motion and disorder, vertical ones can show stability. Contours can make a face appear soft and delicate, while jagged lines can make one seem rugged. After line, you might examine how the artist uses light. Brushstrokes can shape a painting, too.