For each set work make notes covering the following areas (e.g. use them as side headings and make your notes under each of them )

NAME OF VASE (include in notes if there is any particular reason for the name)

DATE

NAME OF PAINTER / POTTER (if known)

SIZE

SHAPE / FUNCTION (i.e. what was it used for?)

WHERE THE PAINTING IS PLACED ON THE VASE

BASIC TECHNIQUE (i.e. is it black figure, red figure or white ground?)

TOPIC / THEME / NARRATIVE (what it is and, if appropriate, how it is told. NB narrative techniques you know about from other subjects like art history – these will be useful in some of your later vases in particular. Some vases have long and complicated stories – e.g. Francois Vase – don’t get upset, just persevere – other vases are very simple stories)

INSCRIPTIONS / PATTERNS (if there are any words what are they and why are they there. And note any patterns/bands)

STYLE - this will take the bulk of your time and notes – cover some of the following- what you choose to say will vary from vase to vase –

Composition – this means how and where the painting is placed on the vase and if it suits the shape, as well as how the figures etc. in the area/band relate to each other. Is there any sense of movement and direction, and is there a focal point – if so, what creates it? (The term composition refers to how an artist organises, sets out or composes a picture)

• Space – this means depth in art terms – is the painting totally flat? Or is there a sense of depth and distance between or behind the figures? If so, then what is it that makes this feeling? (forget about perspective – they don’t use it at this time)
• Colour – Any added colours? (other than black/red) If so, why?
• Texture – Any variety? How made? (e.g. hair, beards)
• Figures – anatomy (this means details and proportions of the bodies) and how the artists deals with this. Watch out for body stereotypes and for the eyes.
• Figures – drapery (this means the clothes and how they fit around – drape- the bodies.) Sometimes the drapery disguises the body shape – sometimes it reveals and enhances it.
• Figures – poses (how are the figures sitting, standing etc.) Poses often help create a sense of depth, or a sense of movement. Watch out for ¾ views, and in later vases, for foreshortening.
• Any new / unusual features about this vase?

OBVIOUSLY NOT ALL OF THESE THINGS WILL BE EQUALLY IMPORTANT ON EVERY VASE – SOME WON’T BE AT ALL – JUST GO FOR THE 5 OR 6 POINTS WHICH SEEM TO BE THE MOST IMPORTANT IN EACH CASE