Studying art can be like diving headfirst into a waterfall with no idea on how to swim. Its absolutely overwhelming to see the number of topics we have to understand and we can barely keep our head above water.

This is where studying from the masters can help! Master artists have already solved the problems in their images and have laid the answers in front of us. We just need to know how to find them and use them in our artwork.

I want to give you a step by step approach on studying from the masters and how to strip any image down to its bare bones and learn what makes the image so powerful. Then we can apply the same concepts to our own artwork and completely elevate our skillset!

Step by Step Guide to Master Studies

See, define and make clear the range of contrasts present within the same visual component. Observe trends of activity in the component groups within the image and choose those that you feel are most vital to your image message or the story and make that the first focus of dominant relationships present in your image.

1. What is the mood of the piece?

Use at least one or two words to describe the emotional tone.

2. Identify the hierarchy of focal points.

Circle the different focal points on the image and label. Identify any obvious leading lines or design of contrast in favour of the focal points.

3. Analyse the gesture.

On a separate canvas, use simple lines to describe the gestures throughout the image. Identify hidden continuous rhythms between elements. Relate the character of the gesture back to the mood. Eg. Lots of curvy smooth gesture indicate a friendly atmosphere whereas lots of straight angles could indicate tension.

4. Analyse the balance.

Is the image symmetrical or asymmetrical? How is the balance distributed in order to convey the mood? Eg. heavy elements all at the bottom may indicate sadness, symmetrically placed elements can be grand and epic.Identify where the heaviest elements are placed. On a separate canvas, use circles of different size and opacity to mark the distribution of weight. Note important areas of offset asymmetry.

5. Analyse the rhythm of shapes and shape DNA.

On the image, mark out the distribution of big shapes, medium shapes and small shapes and how it supports the focal point. Also look at negative shapes.

On a separate canvas, block out the basic shapes with line.

• Identify the most common shape DNA to the least common.
• Determine if the contrast in the shape DNA throughout the image helped in prioritising the focal points

6. What is the perspective?

• On the image, mark out the horizon line and perspective used. How did they utilise the perspective for the mood?
• On a separate canvas, draw out the perspective grid and block in basic forms in geometric volumes

7. Analyse value and edge design.

• On a separate canvas, replicate the tonal message of the image using as few values as possible. Analyse how the value was designed to serve the emotional message
• Add filters to the image to get a simple value statement and compare with study.

8. Analyse the colour design.

• On the image, note the dominant colours and their relation to the mood. Is the image largely based on local colour or atmosphere?
• On a separate canvas, use only a hard edged brush to block out the colours.

9. Literal vs Abstract

On the image, make notes as to where the literal was sacrificed in favour of the abstract design principle. Note why it was simplified, eg. for the gesture or shape design, etc.