Art Analysis: A Trip To The Grand Canyon

Throughout the work there is a wide variety of naturalistic colors such as blue, purple, light brown, and green that is very rich in color and fresh. The lightness of the colors give the work a soft feeling. The warmth of the earthly tones helps the work look realistic. The cool blue sky is far away and gives the picture great depth. The canyon walls display fiery red and gold hues with a tint of brown. The one dimensional lines in the work vary in width, length, and direction that lead the eye around the composition. The horizontal lines used are thin and shape the tops and the edges of the canyons. The vertical line that separates the cloudless and vibrant sky from the colorful cliffs sculpted by water and wind is faint. In between the cliffs there is a river that stretches miles long and runs through the walls of the canyon as it flows from the walls of the canyons it gets narrower and narrower. The water is blue, darker in the shadows and more pale in the light, but still blue. The texture in the work is hard to detect, but the brushstrokes are simple and light that enhances the works concept.
Analysis
The elements of art used in this work balance out the work as a whole. The components such as the canyons, the sky, and the river belong to one another. These natural elements embody nature that form a harmonious whole. The colors used blend together to create a smooth, even layer of color. The earthy tones used are true to life and represent nature. The painting shows a contrast of light and dark colors on the sides of the canyons. The colors start out light and go dark towards the bottom of the canyon. The variety of lines in the work show height and width. The horizontal lines give a feeling of peace and a sense of space. The lines depict sections of the landscape, which recede into space. The vertical lines create a sense of height. The lines vary in width and length leading the eye around towards the top of the canyons. The thin and light brushstrokes
create a flowing textured pattern on the sides of the canyon walls. The texture used adds interest to the painting that are simple. The colors, lines, and texture used in the painting are precisely organized that give it structure.
Reaction
My initial reaction to the work was positive. I enjoyed looking at this picture because it triggers memories in me. This painting reminds me of the time I visited the Grand Canyon. The first thing that came to mind when looking at the painting was that it looked so realistic enough that I could stand on the edge of the cliff looking down at the river. This painting has value because it epitomizes the natural landscape one would discover in Arizona. The artist uses different colors and values that creates a unique texture through her style of painting that captures the eye. This painting gave me a sense of stillness because I firmly believe that nature brings happiness, peace, and strength which I believe that was the artist concept to make you feel like you're on top of the world looking down. This painting works well for me because I have come to appreciate nature more. The artist was able to successfully convey the true beauty of the Grand Canyon by using colors that imitate those in the real world.