Looking at Art, Step 4: Mood

This artwork makes me feel something.

The mood of a work of art is especially important, as art and emotion are always linked together. But how does an artist make the viewer aware of the mood, and how can we as viewers understand what the artist is trying to make us feel? 

When considering the mood of an artwork, think about the following aspects of the work: 

• Composition: Are there certain figures in the artwork that evoke certain feelings? For example, is there a snake, and does that mean the mood might be related to fear? 
• Background: What’s in the background of the artwork? Trees? Fire? Do those things tell me the mood? 
• Colors: Colors are used very often to evoke certain moods. Reds may mean passion or anger, blues usually are meant to calm, yellows are associated with happiness, and so on. What colors are most noticeable in the artwork?
• Symbols: Use what you learned in Step 3 about symbolism and apply it to understanding the mood. We talked about how the sunflower could symbolize happiness. That affected the mood of the artwork. 

Let’s take a look at the following painting by David C. Driskell. 

• Composition: We see a forest. There are tall trees, part of a fence, rolling hills, and some sky. Trees and nature could be used for many types of moods, including calmness, excitement, or fear. We’ll keep thinking about the other parts of this painting to help us decide. 
• Background: In the background, there are more trees and a blue sky with clouds. The sky is mostly clear and not raining, so this leads us towards a more positive mood. 
• Colors: This painting is mostly different shades of green and blue, with some spots of orange, yellow, and red. The greens and blues together are peaceful and calming, and the brighter colors hint at a little excitement and happiness. 
• Symbols: Symbols aren’t always straightforward or easy to read. It’s possible that the fence holds meaning. Fences are usually barriers that hold things back or keep things in place. Interestingly, the fence doesn’t cross the entire painting - we can see an end or hole in the fence, so the symbol of the fence changes meaning. Maybe we’re meant to break the barriers and adventure into the peaceful forest beyond. 

By analyzing the composition, background, colors, and symbols in Landscape at Falmouth, we can say that the mood of the painting is generally calm, inviting, and perhaps a little excited. 

Test Yourself

Test yourself with the print below.

Are you up for the challenge?

Let’s practice with poetry again. Using the poem you chose in Looking at Art, Step 3: Symbols, think about how the words the poet used creates a mood for the reader. Follow the steps on the attached resource, Analyzing Poetry for Mood. Then, create an image that reflects the mood of that poem. Try using composition, background, colors, and symbols in your art to communicate the mood to your viewer.