1. Formal analysis This type of analysis requires a detailed description of the “formal” qualities of the art object. In other words, you’re looking at the individual design elements, such as composition (arrangement of parts of or in the work), color, line, texture, scale, proportion, balance, contrast, and rhythm. Your primary concern in this assignment is to attempt to explain how the artist arranges and uses these various elements. In writing a formal analysis, focus on creating a logical order so that your reader doesn’t get lost. Don’t ever assume that because your instructor has seen the work, he or she knows what you are talking about. Here are a couple of options: • summarize the overall appearance, then describe the details of the object • describe the composition and then move on to a description of the materials used (acrylic, watercolor, plaster) • begin discussing one side of the work and then move across the object to the other side • describe things in the order in which they draw your eye around the object, starting with the first thing you notice and moving to the next