In the school curriculum, one of the favorite tasks for teachers of Russian and literature is writing an essay based on a given picture. But it is not always clear how best to do this and where to start at all. For many, this task is difficult, so they are forced to seek help on the Internet or simply write off finished work. This article offers a convenient plan for describing a picture with an example so that students can understand the features of such an essay and understand how to do this assignment for the top five.
Where to start
As in any other essay on school subjects, the work begins with thinking through a clear structure and sequence of presentation of thoughts. This does not mean at all that you are limited in creativity - you are only offered a description plan that will help you transfer your ideas to paper in a competent manner. Here is the sequence to follow:
- Introduction.
- Description of the foreground and central plans of the painting.
- Background.
- Characterization of the color range.
- Your feelings.
- Conclusions.
We analyze the plan of the essay-description of the picture
The first part of this kind of work is always the introduction. This is the paragraph that gives the reader the basic and important details. Here you should indicate capacious excerpts from the biography of the author of a work of art, the prevailing style of his work. It is also necessary to mention any facts related to the described creation: how much the author worked on it, which was a prerequisite for its creation. Try to keep the introduction concise and avoid cliches if you want to create a truly interesting description of the painting along the lines presented in this article.
Next, the main part is written, which includes points 2-5. First, attention is paid to the center of the composition of the picture, since the author wanted to concentrate the viewer's gaze on the main object. Describe what it is: if it is a landscape, then the center can be a river, a forest, a tree (what are they?); if a portrait - who is its main character, what distinguishing features are striking; if the work is on a historical theme, then what event unfolds on it and who participates in it.
Pay also attention to the background of the picture, the author could place something equally important on it or supplement the picture with it so that it makes the right impression. Be sure to describe your intendedthe atmosphere of the work - whether it is calm or lively, joyful or melancholy, glorifying or ridiculing.
Then, according to the plan of the description of the picture, the characteristic of the color scheme follows. Analyze whether it is warm or cold, what shades prevail in it. Often, it is through colors that the author conveys his feelings, so you need to pay special attention to the palette. After all this has been described, proceed to the presentation of your feelings: what did you think about when you looked at the work, what associations did it evoke, mentally transfer yourself to the canvas - what you feel when you are there.
The final part is the conclusion throughout your essay. It, like the introduction, should be concise and reflect the main ideas of the work, complement them.
Useful tricks
To make your essay arouse the interest of the reader, take note of a few useful tricks.
- Use an epigraph. If you have in mind phrases, stanzas from poems that are suitable for your essay or the picture being described, then there is no reason not to use them. The only thing to consider is the rules for the design of epigraphs. Relevant quotes are also a good idea.
- Acceptance of a consistent description. In addition to the sequence given in the plan for describing the picture, you can adhere to the principle of reflecting the details of the work from the bottom up.
- Increase. Look at all the details as if through a magnifying glass: notice what others might not notice.
M. Vrubel, "Seated Demon". An example of a description of a painting according to a plan
Mikhail Vrubel is an outstanding artist who worked at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries. He worked in many genres of fine art. His paintings are permeated with depth of feelings and disturbing anxiety. No exception is the work "Seated Demon", created at the dawn of his creative activity, in 1890. She was one of the many illustrations for M. Yu. Lermontov's poem "The Demon" and now has found its permanent place in the Tretyakov Gallery.
The protagonist of this work is a young man, called "demon" by his creator, looking thoughtfully into the distance. He is dressed only to the waist, and his handsome face, long curly hair, folded arms and muscularity completely do not allow the viewer to imagine that there can be at least something demonic in him, because the picture reflects more sadness than evil authority. In the background, unprecedented flowers flaunt, which amaze with the severity of their forms, and a bewitching scarlet sunset. This work is dominated by warm shades of colors: from pale yellow to bright pink. At the same time, the color of the demon's clothes and some shades of plants contrast with them, demonstrating the opposition of this creature to the world and some alienation.
This picture evokes mixed feelings: despite the fact that the demon is an unkind creature, he becomes sorry when he sees sorrow in his eyes. There is a certain sadness in this picture, as it becomes clear how lonely and sadthe hero depicted on it. There is an inexplicable desire to help him, while some anxiety is felt, because this is not a person.
The painting "Seated Demon" is filled with deep meaning, which Mikhail Vrubel skillfully reflected in it. The artist himself wrote about his work: “The demon is not so much an evil spirit as a suffering and mournful one, with all this a domineering, majestic spirit …” Thus, it becomes clear that the author is full of compassion for his hero, which is impossible not to be imbued when looking at this piece.
Using as an example this essay, written according to the plan for describing the painting in this article, you can do the same with any other work of art.
