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Describe a painting using only formal elements
Practice: Setting limits and rules. About 5 minutes.
About this exercise
Your Art History professor wants formal analysis: what you see, not history or meaning. Get exactly 3 numbered lines starting 'Line:', 'Color:' and 'Composition:', each describing the painting in under 20 words, plain text. Use only the visual description in your notes, with no history, artist biography, meaning or symbolism.
Common mistakes when you ask AI for this
- Asking for an analysis. The AI mixes in the artist's life and what the painting 'means', which isn't formal analysis. Try: Say: "Only what I see: line, color, composition."
- Not giving the labels. The AI writes a paragraph that blends everything. Try: Give the shape: "3 lines starting Line:, Color:, Composition:."
- Inventing details. The AI may describe things that aren't in your notes. Try: Add: "Use only the visual details in my notes."
- Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total and it often lands 20% over. Try: Cap each line: "each under 18 words."
- Forgetting where it will be read. AI formats for a screen, with bold and headings that show up as stray symbols in your notes. Try: Say: "Plain text, no bold, no headings."
What a strong prompt includes
- Gives the labels
- Rules out meaning and history
- Says how many lines
- Sets a length limit
- Says to use only the material
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