Looking at a Picture: What to Notice First · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

What to Notice in a Picture

Arts & Music · Visual Art · ages 11-13
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. Which colours feel lively and warm?

    • Blues and greys
    • Reds and yellows
    • Blacks and whites

  2. Where does your eye land first in a picture?

    • Where the artist placed the key thing
    • Always the bottom left corner
    • Outside the frame

  3. The foreground holds near big things and the background holds far small things.

    Circle one:   True   False

  4. Mia says a picture feels calm and points at its soft blues. Is her opinion good?

    • No, feelings never count
    • Yes, she backs it with what is in the picture
    • Only if the artist agrees

  5. A painting shows one bright figure while the rest sits dim. What is the light doing?

    • Hiding the whole scene
    • Flattening every tone
    • Picking out the hero

  6. Colours that sit next to each other on the colour wheel blend without clashing.

    Circle one:   True   False

  7. A portrait sets a small bright face against a huge dark wall. Where does the eye land, and why?

    • On the face, pulled by light contrast
    • On the wall, which is bigger
    • Nowhere, dark walls hide all

  8. Two friends disagree about one painting. How do they settle it well?

    • Shout until one gives up
    • Ask the price of the frame
    • Compare the picture bits each view rests on
LightMySky · lightmysky.comW1-mt_jJxX9-kw1V-s1

Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

What to Notice in a Picture W1-mt_jJxX9-kw1V-s1

  1. Reds and yellows · Warm reds and yellows feel lively, while cool blues feel calm.
  2. Where the artist placed the key thing · Artists arrange the picture to pull your eye to one planned spot.
  3. True · Front means near and big, back means far and small.
  4. Yes, she backs it with what is in the picture · A view counts when it rests on something actually in the picture.
  5. Picking out the hero · Strong light on one figure pulls your eye straight to them.
  6. True · Neighbour colours share tones, so they sit nicely together.
  7. On the face, pulled by light contrast · A bright spot in darkness grabs the eye, even when small.
  8. Compare the picture bits each view rests on · The stronger view is the one with more proof inside the picture.
Worksheet · LightMySky