How to do visual (formal) analysis in art history?

It’s like solving a puzzle by looking at how all the pieces fit together in a picture.

Visual analysis is when you look closely at an artwork to understand what it shows and why it looks the way it does. You're not just guessing, you're exploring, just like when you figure out what makes your favorite toy work.

Imagine you have a picture of a castle in the sky. First, you might say, “I see a castle!” That’s the first step: what you see.

Then, you look closer. Are the walls straight or wobbly? Are the clouds soft or sharp? This is like checking if your toy car has smooth wheels or bumpy ones, it helps you know how the picture feels.

Next, think about colors and shapes. Bright colors might make you feel happy, just like when you eat your favorite candy. Big shapes can feel strong, like when you play with a giant teddy bear.

Finally, ask yourself: Why did the artist choose these things? Maybe they wanted to show something special, like how you use different blocks to build a tower that stands tall!