Line

In this piece of art there are shapes and lines.  There are contour lines that make up the shape of the circles that dominate the picture.  They outline the shape of the circles.  There are some implied lines as well, for example, the circle on the bottom right is red on the inside and pink on the outside.  The line separating the two colors is an implied line.  There are also many straight diagonal lines that can represent movement.

Contour Lines

This piece is an example of a piece that is done using contour lines.  The lines in this picture create outlines that give the viewer a shape to view.  The figures that the lines create do not have any shading but instead include more lines to show how the shapes of the objects have been changed over time.  There is no thick border on the outside of these figures which is why the lines that form them are contour lines and not edges.  There is a hint of shading under the objects which look as if they were done using a stippling technique.

Lines--hatching

This drawing is called "The Citadel of Fear" by Virgil Finlay. Right away, it is quite easy to point out the major content in the work, such as the woman and the large hand reaching out to her. However, if you look closer, this drawing was done completely by drawing lines, aka hatching. She used 4 different styles of hatching (such as cross-hatching) while working on this particular piece. Even though its only in black and white, the artist was very particular in shading. By putting the lines closer together and repeating this process (the more times they go over it, the darker it becomes), the artist makes different objects stand out from each other. Or, if you look at the pillow, the artist used less lines and drew them further apart to create a lighter shade. Nothing is actually outlined with contour lines, but in this case, it is not needed. The artist did a marvelous job in shading and hatching that depth and content are easily visible.

--Alexis Swoyer

This drawing is a horse drawn using contour lines.  As you can see, it has the feeling of being a cartoon, and the figure is outlined all around in a thick black line.  It has no shading so there is no difference in value or hues in the work because it is strictly white and black.  Also, there is no stippling or hatching, just contour lines all around.  Angles are emphasized in this drawing as opposed to 3d forms.
-AnnMarie Pollock

Stippling

Both these pieces of art are done by the artist Noli Novak (Picture on Upper Left). Noli Novak signature style of art is stippling. The use of light and dark areas are very prominent in all her pieces of art. The positioning and amount of the dots are used to cause shadow and shading in both pieces shown. The lower picture shows primary colors with a warm feeling. The artist also plays around with shape and boundaries without definite lines. Her work is very intricate and astonishing to look at.

Line

This print is called Lil' Foxy and it is done by an artist on Etsy. First, the artist sketches using pencil and ink and then colors the picture digitally.Besides the color, one of the most striking elements of this print is the artist's use of lines. A contour line outlines the shape of the fox. Within the fox, lines are used to illustrate the fur. The lines used are both black and white. In the negative space behind the fox, a design using lines in white can be seen. The lines being used in this print are actual lines.

This is a 2D acrylic painting. It is a naturalistic style as you can tell by looking at the variations of color in the background. The subject of the painting in set in the vintage, 1960's era. By the way the women is sitting with her elbows propped up against the table, one can interpret that this painting is trying to convey female empowerment. She is taking over in the dynamic between herself and the man she is sitting with at the table. Also, she isn't sitting perfectly, rather she is sort of slouching to one side and she has a drink and cigarette in hand.

Boy and girl gazing at the moon

This art is a painting by Norman Rockwell. It has been called many things, (puppy love, little spooners, sunset, first love) but it is actually titled Boy and girl gazing at moon and the subject matter is exactly that. It is an oil painting, very representational everything looks real, there is a lot of negative space and the subject of the picture is centered on the canvas.


-Molly

M.C. Escher

M.C. Escher sketches very interesting pieces that draws in the attention of a diverse audience. Escher brings the ordinary performance of creating art into an extraordinary art piece. The objective of this monochromatic sketch is to create an illusion for the audience of a hand drawing a hand when in fact both hands have been drawn by Escher. The symbolism of this piece stems from the idea that no one knows where the beginning is, just like the idea of the "chicken and the egg". Where the hands begins, just like that of the chicken and the egg, no one knows because they constantly contradict each other. People are fascinated with this concept and Escher explores this in his art. The hands create two curved contour lines that allow the eyes to follow in a circular motion around the hands. Although the image is simple, the concept is mind-blowing and consumes the imagination of his audience around the world.

Dog

This is an Oil Painting of a dog. It portrays a dog who looks older in his life and seems sad. The artist does a good job of focusing on the dog and leaving the negative part of the painting white and blurred out. Also the white background and white specs around the mouth makes me believe the dog is in the snow.  The artist also uses a primary collar in red for the collar which makes it stand out against the rest of the painting. The painting is naturalistic.

Tree of Life

The Tree of Life is a very interesting piece of art, a totally man made tree with different animals carved into it. The ideas behind everything from the tree to the physical animals on it are naturalistic but the way everything is arranged around and is all over the actual trunk is totally abstract. The animals are popping out all over the place overlapping each other turning a very realistic view of a tree and conveying a whole new message. The idea of life and how trees are necessary to life is being shown through the carvings

This is "Hand with Reflecting Sphere" by M.C. Escher. It is a lithograph made in 1935. It is very much representative and naturalistic. One can clearly tell it is a hand with a sphere and image in that sphere. The detail put into the work is amazing. the sphere surly catches the attention of any view especially with the ground fading from a lighter gray to darker. The work is very interesting and almost like the oil painting from the text with the reflection of the room backwards. One can interpret this work to be one reflecting their own life, which is essentially in the palm of some higher spirit or being.

Life Strands

This drawing is called "Life Strands" by Hong Chun Zhang. He used a huge piece of paper that rolls out onto the floor and drew it with charcoal. You can tell it's a drawing by the distinct individual strands of hair that stick out in the braid. It is in black and white, therefore you can assume it is done with charcoal or a pencil like substance. This picture is representational of a long braid. There is no questioning that it isn't and it is extremely realistic. It almost looks as if it is 3D because of the shadows he uses. The iconography of this piece may be that the beginning of the braid represents a strong life and by the end it is fading away, symbolizing death.

This is an oil painting by Brain Duey. You are able to tell this is an oil painting because of the distinct brush strokes. This is a representational portrait because it represents Megan Fox, a well known actress of the 21st century. The pose in this painting is a very distinct pose for this actress because many pictures that are taken of her are in this stance.

Reporting of Form & Content: Adoration of the Magi

Adoration of the Magi by Filippino Lippi is an oil painting on panel (wood). A representation of the visitation of the three kings to the Christ child, Lippi used the primary colors in the garments of the main focus of Mary & Joseph in the Holy Family and the Magi. The Christ Child's garment is white, which symbolizes purity. The use of the white makes Him stand out while sitting on his Mother's lap. The primary colors were used against a dark, naturalistic wooden frame of possibly a barn,  in the background. The blue sky and landscaping are naturalistic, as well, and make this wooden structure stand out in contrast against the blue sky and green foliage.The faces on the main characters in the front show much love and devotion to this Child. The two characters to the right may be conversing about the Child, or from where they began their journey.

Artist  Jason Levesque is an illustrator who uses sketches that are later edited and colored using Photoshop to create unique and beautiful art (these are later produced into prints). Although representational in the way the women in his work are portrayed, there is an element of abstractness to his work. The scenes his subjects are placed in are fantasy like in nature. The colors of this work in particular are cool. He also uses white to provide a contrast and focus one's eye on the subject of the piece.

This piece of surf art is titled "sunset sessions" and was created by Drew Brophy. He has a unique style which is made possible by using a  method which uses oil based pens that he created. This is a very abstract piece of art that utilizes the bright colors and cartoony images to catch the eye. The large scale wave and the crazy sunrays really grab my attention. i believe the iconogrophy of this piece and of  majority of his works are based around perfect days to simply enjoy.

Abstract Paintings

 

When an individual looks at art, they may see something completely different then what others perceive.  This particular artwork is an abstract painting done an a two dimensional format.  This painting is abstract because of its alterations with color, shape, and size.  When one looks at the painting, they can interpret it to be whatever they want it to be.  Personally, I see many abstract flowers, but someone else may see something else.  I believe that this artwork is non-objective because you are not able to identify what it is actually representing and you are able to use your own imagination to create your own thoughts. 

-Dana-Lynn

tired

 This painting is made by a talented artist named Rob Hefferan. This is a realistic 2D oil painting and has nothing abstract in it since everything is identifiable. It's content is not complex, representing an exhausted and maybe even sad female.  The texture and the details in this painting are phenomenal, whether its the sheets or what shes wearing, and even the covers and pillows. He uses very neutral color. This painting is very calming to the eye and although contains many details, it is not overpowering. This painting contains no symmetry. 

End of the Day

The painting I chose is one that was made in the Philippines. I believe that it is an oil painting. This is a painting of the Boracray Islands, which is a part of the context. The form of this painting is very interesting. The painting is very realistic. It looks as if the man is a native of the area returning at the end of a day on the water. I believe that the person in the painting does not have a specific face so that much more people are able to relate to the painting. There is a multitude of colors that are displayed and they are very beautiful.

-Sam

Iceberg

The image that is shown is a realistic representational image because it shows the realism in an iceberg. The fact that you can see the bottom of the iceberg is a little abstract, however it is still realistic due to the fact that it is a real thing and the only reason the artist is showing the bottom is to be informative and show the viewer that there is more to be seen then just what meets the eye. The form of this image seems to be a large iceberg directly centered to add to the pictures effect that the iceberg is large. The image almost seems as though its a photograph however it has been edited because there is no way you could see the bottom of the iceberg through the frozen water. The blue in the iceberg really adds to the pictures form as well because everything in the picture is blue from the sky, to the water, to the actual iceberg itself. The context of this work tells me that this image must have been made sometime in recent history because a long time ago they did not have the digital technology to make this iceberg appear the way it is. This image truly interests me because it shows something that most people will never know in their entire lives unless a true artist shows them such as in this picture. 

The Shipwreck

The Shipwreck is a 2D oil painting. This painting can be considered to be realistic and representational because the photo is not far from being what the actual scene would look like. In the painting you see three boats that seem to be taken over by harsh storms and rough waters they are traveling on. The colors are realistic and the textures of the water and the people are all realistic. I chose this photo because it is simple, but is very real looking. Also the simple blasts of color from the peoples clothing catches your eye. Great, simple painting that conveys a very realistic message.

Gorge near Amalfi

Gorge near Amalfi by Carl Blechen is a 2D work of art.  It is an oil painting on canvas.  The painting is realistic and representational because the artist shows how this scene would look like in real life.  He shows the shadowing as it would be in real life because there is a mountain on the left side of the painting preventing the light to shine on it.  The work shows a scene from nature and three men cutting down a tree.  There also looks to be a house or some type of building that produces smoke or heat.  The men cutting down the tree could be gathering fire wood as it looks like that is how the building is heated as illustrated by the smoke.  The men probably got to the tree by the bridge crossing over the water. 

Love and War.

The image shown is a photograph taken by the famous photography duo known as "Petrovsky and Ramone", that portrays a collaboration of Love and War. The composition and content of this photograph displays the word "LOVE", centered, created by the arrangement of bullets and/or bullet shell casings. I think the iconography of this image represents the events that are taking place in our world today as far as the war in Iraq. I also believe this photograph art work gives off the message that love can be expressed in many ways, including war.

- Alfonso Robles

Art by Emily Hoy

This piece is by one of my favorite contemporary artists Emily Hoy. Although I greatly appreciate representational art, I am fascinated by the abstract types of art that defy reality. Emily Hoy undoubtably has a certain style that is shown throughout all of her work. She always uses many bright colors, text, and geometric shapes. In addition, lips seem to always make their way into her pieces. As a viewer, I see the subject matter of this work of art to be how women can be seen as objects. On the top, there are two girls with just their bodies being shown, and their faces covered with lips. Also, the lipstick and words "flash" and "pump"reveal stereotypes about women. The large image of the tiger in the center may mean that women are stronger than they are perceived to be.

- Melissa Mastrorilli

John Marchetti

This painting is called "Fishing boats on the beach at Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer", by Vincent van Gogh. It's was created using oil paints. You can see from the brush strokes in the sky and water. It's composition is interesting because at first you would just think its another ordinary picture of boats on the beach, but van Gogh made the land and sky almost identical in size to each other, making the boats pop out. The boats are placed off center so we can see the beauty of the ocean as well. This painting is representational because it looks like the real thing. Its content is pretty simple; it is the beauty of the sea and its calming/relaxing atmosphere. There isn't anything subjective in this piece. Van Gogh made this after visiting the Mediterranean sea, showing that it struck a lasting memory/feeling in him.

John Marchetti

Starry Night

Starry Night is an oil on canvas painting by Vincent Van Gogh. Though its current location is in New York City, it is greatly admired by many around the world. Most would agree that this is a peaceful and calming work of art. This is an example of a representational piece. You are able to see things such as the moon, houses on hills and the colors relating to the typical night sky. The composition of this picture plays around with swirls and the contrast of the colors blue and yellow. This allows for people to see movement of the sky even in a still picture.
-Michelle Ketcham

Ballerina People.

This photograph represents a dancer or part or feeling in a theatrical work.  The medium used here is clearly photography; and although simple, it says so many words.  As for the composition of the photograph, she is placed in the center but the shape of her dress and lines of her body move the eye throughout the entire piece of art.  Clearly the subject matter is the dancer and she tells her story through her movements and interpretive dance; however, the photograph does not give a hint to what specific story is being told. 

Emily

American Virtue

This painting, (American Gothic) was created by Grant Wood in 1930. It is a portrayal of the American Dream, marriage, hard work, and something to show for it. By the time line and the expressions on their faces, this couple is struggling through the great depression, as most if not all Americans went through. Observing the shadows on their faces and on the house, the detailed wrinkles, and just the scenery alone this painting was made to be representational. You can see the struggle in the man's eyes, but also the sense that he is not willing to give up, as you can see by the clenched fist around the tool of his hard labor. On the other hand, with the wife's expressionless stare away from you, she seems to have given up.

Death of Socrates

This painting by Jacques-Louis David is an oil painting.  It is a representational painting in that it records an event that took place several thousand years earlier.  The content is not at all complex.  The subject matter tells you that a person's death has occurred.  The message relays that this is no ordinary death.  The iconography is that it is horrific because a great leader has died.  This painting ultimately serves as a medium for putting the death of Socrates in perspective.

Mike Rizzi