Art to Art - Step by Step Ekphrasis Process

Art-to-Art

A TEN STEP METHOD FOR USING WORKS OF ART AS PROMPTS FOR WRITING

 

The goal of ekphrasis is to connect, observe, infer, consider and respond in a personal way to works of art. The process, once mastered, can be used to write about memories, occurrences, natural scenes, ideas, assigned writing prompts, and all forms of creative arts.

 

 

1) ART APPRECIATION

View or experience works of ark - visual, literary, dramatic, musical, architectural, photographice, etc.

Consider the subject, artist, time/place, themes, techniques, cultural influences and how it affects you.

 

2) EXPERIENCE ART

Review works of art through prints, books, museum tours, concerts, readings, artist

visits or recorded music. Consider your responses to different works. Consider yourself.

 

3) SELECT A WORK OF ART

Choose a work of art to explore for your creative response. View or experience the art

as you record your first impressions - likes, dislikes, feelings elicited.

 

4) JUST THE FACTS

Now observe and record factual (but only factual) information from the work.

For visual art: subject, colors, lines, objects, background, characters, etc.

For music: orchestration, instruments, vocals, dynamics, style, etc.

 

5) STUDY THE DETAILS

Zoom in. Study the piece close-up (texture, shading, background, small details, technique,

influences, choices of the artist, etc.). Record observations.

 

6) INFER & EXPLORE

Now widen your thoughts to imagine details not actually in the work: clues to intent of the artist, title,

suggested emotions, a larger story, connotations, historical and cultural allusions

 

7) PERSONAL REFLECTION

Now experience the work based on your personal perspective— how can this inspire your own

emotions, memories, personal experiences, ideas & questions, parallels, fictional ideas, vocabulary.

 

8) RESPOND

Using the piece for inspiration, compose a poem, narrative or essay - or other form of art.

Write directly about the piece of art or use your notes to prompt a more inventive response.

 

9) SHARE

Share your writing.

 

10) REVIEW & EXPAND

Review the process, affirming personal creativity, then explore the wider use of

these techniques for using almost any scene or experience as a prompt for writing

poetry, prose, fiction, memoir, creative non-fiction and even journal