Perceptual

-realistic
-the way it actually looks in real life

• Describe:
– Value, Form,
Texture
• Analyze:
– Balance, Contrast,
Movement
• Interpret:
– Perceptual
– Shape and value
combined to create
form
– Quiet and serene
• Describe:
– Color, Space,
Texture
• Analyze:
– Contrast,
Repetition,
Movement
• Interpret:
– Expressive
– Personal history of
the hammer
– Nostalgic,
sentimental
• Describe:
– Color, Shape, Line
• Analyze:
– Repetition,
Movement,
Contrast
• Interpret:
– Non-objective
– Interpreting the
sound of a hammer
– Loud, repetetive,
active
Kenyon II
Kehinde Wiley
Oil paint on Canvas
2007
A painting of a man looking up and to the
left, wearing a blue shirt and blue
backwards hat, surrounded by a green
and orange floral pattern.

• Describe:
– Color, Form, Space
• Analyze:
– Contrast, Repetition,
Movement
• Interpret:
– Expressive and Perceptual
– Contrast of outside and inside
– Thoughtful and serious
 Feldman’s Method

1st Step is Describe

Describe the visual qualities of what can

be seen. Identify the three most important
Elements of Art. Support with specific
examples from the artwork.

Color
1. Kehinde Wiley uses warm and cool colors in his painting of a young man looking up
and to the left surrounded by a pattern of flowers. The complementary colors of the
flowers: red, orange and green as well as the brown skin are warmer while the blues in
his shirt and hat are cooler colors.
 Feldman’s Method

1st Step is Describe

Describe the visual qualities of what can

be seen. Identify the three most important
Elements of Art. Be objective and support
with specific examples.

Form

2. By using a range of values from almost white in the highlights to dark blue, brown and
black in the shadows of the shirt, face, and hat Wiley creates realistic form in the figure
as well as showing a light source to the left of the figure. The values in the flowers also
give them realistic form as they surround the figure even though they are floating in
space.
 Feldman’s Method

1st Step is Describe

Describe the visual qualities of what can

be seen. Identify the three most important
Elements of Art. Be objective and support
with specific examples.

Space

3. The figure, because it has realistic form takes up real space, however the only
background is the pattern of flowers surrounding the figure. By having the flowers float
in space Wiley creates an unrealistic sense of space. Those flowers, though, appear in
front of and slightly behind the person, making it look like he is inside the group of
flowers and leaves, or they are circling around him.
 Feldman’s Method

2nd Step is Analyze

Identify the three most important

Principles of Design to discuss how the
artwork is put together. Remember to
support with answers from step one and
give specific examples.

Contrast

1. The complementary colors of the flowers, red and green, contrast one another. The
warm and cool colors in the figure and flowers also contrast each other. The realistic
form of the person and unrealistic space of the floating flowers create contrast in the
painting. The plain and casual dress of the man contrasts the more fanciful pattern of
the flowers that also appear more feminine or decorative.
 Feldman’s Method

2nd Step is Analyze

Identify the three most important

Principles of Design to discuss how the
artwork is put together. Remember to
support with answers from step one and
give specific examples.

Repetition
2. Wiley repeats the complementary colors green and red and the shapes of the
flowers and leaves around the figure in this painting. There are repeated lines and
shapes created by the highlights and shadows in the figure and his clothing giving
realistic form and space to the person.
 Feldman’s Method

2nd Step is Analyze

Identify the three most important

Principles of Design to discuss how the
artwork is put together. Remember to
support with answers from step one and
give specific examples.

Movement

3. The lines and values in his shirt leads your eye upward, through the face and then to
the left following the figures eyes and towards the light source. The curvy lines of
the floating flowers and leaves surround the figure’s head in a circular pattern
moving your eye around the face and the entire painting.
 Feldman’s Method
3rd Step is Interpret
This step deals with what is on the inside.

Is this artwork Perceptual, Expressive, or

Non-Objective?

What is the artist’s intent, or the meaning of

the artwork?

Is there an emotional tone to the artwork,

what is the personality of the person?

The realistic color, value, and form of the figure makes this painting perceptual.
However, the pattern of floating flowers created in an unrealistic space around the
figure is more expressive and gives a happier mood than the serious look of the
man. As he looks up and to the left, toward the light source he appears to be lost in
thought or waiting for something to happen. The casual clothing and serious look of
the man contrast the flowery and happier background, perhaps indicating what is
going on in his head.