How to analyse an artwork

Looking at art is a skill. With four simple questions you can say something intelligent about any artwork.

Practise this lesson free (7 questions)

Four areas: content, form, process, mood

Content: What is it? What does it show? What is the subject or theme? Who made it, and when?
Form: How are the formal elements used? (line, shape, tone, texture, pattern, colour) How is it arranged (composition)?
Process: How was it made? What media, tools and techniques?
Mood: How does it make you feel? What atmosphere does it create, and how?

Composition

Composition is how the parts of an artwork are arranged.
A picture often has a foreground (nearest), middle ground and background (furthest).
The focal point is where your eye goes first.
The rule of thirds imagines the picture split into a 3 by 3 grid; placing key things on the lines or where they cross often looks balanced and interesting.
A composition can be symmetrical (balanced and formal) or asymmetrical (more lively).

Fact, then opinion with reasons

Start by describing what you can see (facts). Then interpret and judge, always giving a reason.
Weak: 'I don't like it.'
Strong: 'The artist uses dark, cool blues and a figure placed far from the centre, which makes the scene feel lonely. I think it is effective because the empty space around the figure adds to that feeling.'
To evaluate your own work, ask the same questions, then say how to improve it.
Worked example

A painting shows a busy market in bright reds and yellows, with thick, visible brushstrokes. Write one sentence on form and one on mood.

  1. Form: talk about formal elements such as colour and texture.
  2. Bright reds and yellows are warm colours; thick brushstrokes give actual texture.
  3. Mood: warm, bright colours and lively marks suggest energy and noise.

Answer: Form: the artist uses warm reds and yellows and thick, textured brushstrokes. Mood: this makes the market feel lively, hot and full of energy.

Key idea

Analyse art using content (what), form (formal elements and composition), process (how it was made) and mood (feeling). Describe first, then give opinions with reasons. Composition includes foreground, background, focal point and the rule of thirds.

Key words
Form
A three-dimensional shape with height, width and depth, such as a sphere or cube.
Formal elements
The basic parts of art: line, shape, form, tone, texture, pattern and colour.
Composition
How the parts of an artwork are arranged.
Foreground
The part of a picture that seems nearest to the viewer.
Background
The part of a picture that seems furthest from the viewer.
Focal point
The part of an artwork the eye is drawn to first.

All KS3 Art and Design key terms and definitions →

Quick check

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Extra practice

2 more questions

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  1. 'The painting shows a family eating dinner.' Which area of analysis is this?

    1. Process
    2. Mood
    3. Content
    4. Form
    Show the answer

    Answer: Content

    Content is what the artwork shows.

  2. 'The print was made by cutting into lino and rolling ink over it.' Which area is this?

    1. Mood
    2. Content
    3. Form
    4. Process
    Show the answer

    Answer: Process

    Process is how the work was made.

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Practise this lesson free (7 questions)All KS3 Art and Design lessons

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Sources and references

Last updated 2 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will fix it.