What do you need to include in your description?
Think of your favourite work of visual art.
Now try describing the essence of it by writing it down or saying it out loud to yourself in about 200 words.
What do you think is important in describing a picture? Here are some things to think about:
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What emotions does this picture convey to you?
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To what extent do you think these emotions are unique to you or do you think other people would experience similar emotions?
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In what ways has the artist emphasised these emotions through his / her layout of the painting; the style of painting; the brushwork; use of facial expression?
Now imagine that you are describing this picture to someone who has very little sight. You will need to consider:
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if the person you are describing it for had sight in the past and have they still got a visual memory?
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how might your description differ for a person who has an understanding about art history and painting techniques and someone who does not?
Here are some aspects of the painting that you may need to think about in planning your description:
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Does the size of the canvas contribute to the effect of the painting?
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What action / characters / scenery / background should be included, and what should be left out?
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How much, if any, of the historical / social / environmental context of the painting needs explaining?
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How important, within the context of the whole painting, is a sense of mood?
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What details should be included, that the artist has used deliberately to bring the picture to life through humour or realism or satire, etc?
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How will you ensure the language you use will engage the listener? Appropriate and varied use of words will help.
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How many words is enough? when is information too much information?
There's a lot to think about!
Describing the painting 'Alone'
Have a go at describing a painting called 'Alone' by Dawn Parkinson in 200 words.
With luck your description will be similar enough to have captured the essentials, but different enough to include some of your own interpretation.
Learn more about audio description.