What is the focus of the composition? Does one element of the painting dominate the composition? Is the main focus in the center (both vertically and horizontally), or off to one side? Does anything draw your eye into or across the painting?

Are the lines that outline the objects strong and hard, isolating each object? Or are they irregular and indistinct, fusing objects or figures with the surrounding space?

What is the effect of light—is it even or sharply contrasting? Natural (the way it would look in real life) or theatrical (as on a stage, with the light focused on one part of the painting)?

Are the colors warm (like red and brown), cool (like blue and green), or monochromatic?

Look carefully at the use of brushstrokes. Do they vary, or are they the same throughout?

Does the artist convey a sense of depth? How?