Why is the artist using this particular medium?

Medium. Why is the artist using this particular medium? What are its advantages? Its limitations? Lines. Are the lines thick or thin? Largely vertical or horizontal? Straight or curved? What is achieved by this particular use of line? Color. Is the color realistic or expressive? Warm or cool? Bright or muted? And to what effect? Light. How is light used? How is shadow used? Is there any play between the two? What is communicated to the viewer? Space. What is the sense of space in the work you’ve chosen? Is there great depth, or is the visual plane shallow? How are the elements of the work configured in that space? How does the sense of space affect the subject matter? Affect your response to the work? Composition. How do the various formal elements of the work interact? How does the composition convey the work’s theme or idea? How does the eye move across the piece? How does the composition control that movement? Style. What elements of the composition work to constitute the artist’s style? The style of the period in which the artist was/is working? Brushstroke. Can you detect the hand of the artist? Are the brushstrokes smooth or rough? Were they applied with a controlled hand or spontaneously? What effect does this have on the work? Condition. Is the work in good condition? Are there any unfinished areas? Are there cracks in the paint? Are there any tears or scratches? What kind of frame is it in? How is it installed on the wall?