Colors / Shapes / Lines

Look at the artwork or object for a moment.

What colors do you see?

What shapes do you see?

What lines do you see?

WHAT KIND OF THINKING DOES THIS ROUTINE ENCOURAGE? The routine helps students make detailed observations by drawing their attention to the forms in an artwork – its formal aspects – and giving them specific categories of things to look for.

WHEN AND WHERE CAN IT BE USED? The routine can be used with any kind of visual art. It can also be used with visually rich non-art images or objects. Like the Looking: Ten Times Two routine, students can use the routine on its own, or prior to having a discussion about an artwork with another routine. It is especially useful before a writing activity because it helps students develop descriptive language.