Begin a working bibliography of references that deal with the work of art. Before you narrow how you will approach your research, start reading. Look for material about the specific work as well as material about the artist. Your working bibliography should contain the information of the texts you read to help you keep your research organized.
Take light notes on what you read about the work to help you in organizing your thoughts on how you will approach the research. Make note of basic historical information about the work of art. Look for patterns in the research. For example, are there two or three distinct schools of thought regarding an aspect of the work of art? How is the work interpreted in different sources?
Compose a thesis statement which is an argument that will be the guiding force for your paper. Use your notes to ensure that the available research supports the argument you are making. The thesis statement is what you are going to prove in the body of your report.
Create an outline of your paper, breaking down the thesis into key points. For example, if your thesis statement is that Edvard Munch's Ashes was a reflection of his traumatic relationships with women, your outline would be divided into points that prove that final statement. One section might be about how the woman in the painting towers over the crouching male figure. For each point, have at least one research source.
Draft the paper using your notes and research materials. Some students write their draft by working from the beginning of the outline to the conclusion. Others prefer to skip around and write different sections at different times. Remember to provide appropriate citations for direct quotations, unusual facts, ideas and thoughts that come from a source.
Revise your paper, ensuring that there is a logical flow to the information from the introduction and thesis statement to the conclusion. Check that you have proven your thesis statement using the research and that your conclusion summarizes what you have proven.
Proofread your paper for errors in spelling and grammar.
Compile a bibliography or works cited page based on your instructor's requirements.