Describing a painting

1. Describing a work of art
Speaking + vocabulary

2. _____ colours are very bright, strong and clear,
whereas _____ are not strong or bright.
They’re softer and more delicate.

3. Bold colours are very bright, strong and clear,
whereas subtle are not strong or bright.
They’re softer and more delicate.

4. If a painting is _____________, it’s traditional
and not new or different in any way.

5. If a painting is conventional, it’s traditional and
not new or different in any way.

6. If a painting is ________, it contains a lot of
exciting action.

7. If a painting is dramatic, it contains a lot of
exciting action.

8. • If a painting is __________, it creates a special
mood- such as a feeling of romance or
mystery.

9. • If a painting is atmospheric, it creates a special
mood- such as a feeling of romance or
mystery.

10. _________ paintings show an artist’s feelings or
thoughts, whereas _________paintings show
real objects or events.

11. Abstract paintings show an artist’s feelings or
thoughts, whereas realistic paintings show
real objects or events.

12. If it’s __________, the meaning of the work isn’t
clear- it’s open to interpretation.

13. If it’s ambiguous, the meaning of the work isn’t
clear- it’s open to interpretation.

14. An _________painting shows private moments
in someone’s life.

15. An intimate painting shows private moments in
someone’s life.

16. If a painting has a ______mood, it looks serious
and sad.

17. If a painting has a sombre mood, it looks serious
and sad.

18. If a painting is ______, it looks very realistic.

19. If a painting is lifelike, it looks very realistic.

20. ADJECTIVES
abstract ambiguous
atmospheric
dramatic dated
intimate lifelike
open to interpretation
pleasant pretty
realistic sombre

21. WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE PAINTING

22. Describing
depict / portray / reflect / show
The picture shows/depicts a scene from…
(A place/person is shown from… (a bird’s eye)
view
It’s an image of…
The painting reflects the author’s view of…
The character looks as if…
in the foreground /in the background
in the upper / lower part
from below / above

23. LOOK
Look + adj She looks tired
Look like + noun She looks like a ghost
Look as if + sentence She looks as if she hasn’t slept
ADVERBS
obviously She is obviously disturbed
SEEM / APPEAR
Seem to + vb She seems to be upset
Appear to + vb She appears to have problems
MODALS
Could (well) She could well be crazy
Might She might be having a nightmare
Must She must be having a bad time

24. THE IMPRESSION AND FEELINGS YOU
HAVE ABOUT IT

25. Impression
It gives the impression of depth
You have the impression that…
The viewer has the impression that…
It makes you feel…
Your attention is focused on…
The painting looks vivid/expressive
The painting inspires the viewer to think…
I get the impression she’s trying to avoid him

26. INFORMATION ABOUT THE PAINTER
AND/OR PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE

27. Works of art
sculpture / sculptor
portrait / landscape / still life
sketch / water colour / oil
painting
style / canvas / stroke / frame
excellent / original / outstanding
Artist and origin
This is a painting by…
This image was published in…
The photograph was extracted from…
The photograph was taken … in/at/near
(place) … in/at/during (time)
Intention
express / show / criticise / use / point out / symbolise
The artist uses … to express…
The artist wants to criticise / show / express…
He probably wants to point out that…
It (probably/obviously) symbolises…
It appears to me that…