Edgar Degas, The Singer in Green, p.
147, Pastel, Light Blue Laid Paper,
1884
Three formal elements that can be identified in this piece of artwork are shape,
color, and line. The shape of the figure in the artwork is defined through the contrast of
the background and the figure. The figure has messy and loose brushstrokes making up
the tones and color visible in the figure. The face of the figure is the most refined and
notable definition in the piece, the rest of the artwork is looser and spread creating a
more organic shape making the eye trace in a natural fashion. The color in the piece
creates contrast creating definition. The dress of the lady is orange and blue, which are
complementary colors creating a striking appeal in view. There is also a hint of green in
the blue with yellow also being on the dress creating an even higher level of contrast.
The background of the piece also contrasts with the colors as it has a darker brown and
blacks with greens and blues creating contrast. Line is an essential element as the piece
draws a line towards the middle to create focus on the lady/figure in the middle.
Three principles of design present in the artwork include the design of variety,
rhythm, and emphasis. The colors in artwork are spread throughout the piece. There are
many colors present with contrasting, such as orange, blue, green, black, brown, and other
tones. The colors create variety throughout the piece. Rhythm is present with the patterns
on the dress. The first pattern present is in the lady’s bottom section of the dress. The
pattern of stripes alternating between orange and blue/green are portrayed. Another
pattern visible is in the upper part of the lady’s dress with the pattern of
diamonds/rhombuses with alternating colors of blue/green and orange. There is emphasis
on the lady in the middle of the artwork. A line, as stated in the previous paragraph, is
created through the contrast in colors and definition of organic shapes. This creates
emphasis on the center of the artwork being the figure/lady in it.
The subject of the artwork is about a 14-year-old girl. The girl in the picture is a
singer and is a performer. When the painting was made, the artist asked the girl to pose.
The content/meaning of the artwork is to depict the gracefulness of the young girl. The
artist tried to depict the girl's beauty and youth from the viewpoint of her performing.
Mia Pearlman, Inrush, p. 152, Paper, 2009-2010
Three formal elements that can be identified in this artwork are space, shape, and line.
The artwork is 3D and takes space in a unique way. The artwork is made from paper
meaning that it does not have much mass but covers space out of shape and form. The
artwork is unique. The piece being in 3D opens a lot more shapes and forms that can be
created. The medium being paper also expands the range of shapes due to its flexibility
and mass. The shapes of the piece are very organic and unique with each of the shapes
having a flow like feeling and form. The line of the artwork starts with the center and
flows outwards. The center of the piece is the origin as a light is drawing eyes towards it.
Then the shapes having a flow like feel guide the eyes to the end of the shapes or
connecting the shapes to other shapes due to the fluid feeling of the piece.
Three principles of design present in the artwork are emphasis, variety, and proportion.
There is emphasis on the center of the artwork. The light from the center of the piece
creates a sense of focus in the eyes drawing it towards it. This then creates emphasis.
There is a variety of presents as each shape of the piece is different. Every piece in the
artwork is different, creating its own sense of uniqueness and variety, which then
connects to the principle of variety. The proportion of each shape increases as the eyes
look upwards. The top of the piece has the biggest shapes and density while the bottom
has less density and shape proportion.
The subject of the piece is creativity and how it can be expressed. The piece is meant to
be an abstract and figurative piece of art. Creativity is the motive and idea behind the
artwork. The content of the piece is figurative and expresses how creativity can be
shown through simple things. The center of the piece is a window/hole in which light is
passing through. The shapes are meant to symbolize the movement and flow of the light
and things flowing from the window/hole.
“The Singer in Green.” Metmuseum.org, 2021,
www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/436159.
“MIA PEARLMAN – INRUSH.” Shannonfrances., 2 May 2016,
shannonfrancesart.wordpress.com/2016/05/02/mia-pearlman-inrush/.
