Critique Sheet
Four Steps in Art Criticism
Being able to critique art by utilizing the art elements, principles of design, and correct terminology is very important for students, To assist you in being successful in this endeavor, I am including a four step ,process for art criticism. These are valuable questions that can be used to critique any piece of art. If you use these four steps and answer questions listed under each, you will have a comprehensive method to critique any piece of art. This process will take some time for you to learn and be comfortable using.
Describe: Tell what you see ( the visual facts).
- What is the name of the artist who created the artwork?
- What kind of an artwork is it?
- What is the name of the artwork?
- When was the artwork created?
- Name some major events in history that occurred at the same time this artwork was created?
- List the literal objects in the painting ( trees, people, animals, mountains, rivers, etc.).
- What do you notice first when you look at the work (s)? Why?
- What kinds of colors do you see? How would you describe them?
- what shapes can we see? What kind of edges do the shapes have?
- Are there lines in the work (s)? if so, what kinds of lines are they?
- What sort of textures do you see? How would you describe them?
- What is he overall visual effect or mood of the work(s)?
Analyze: Mentally separate the parts or elements, thinking in terms of textures, shapes/forms, light/dark or bright/dull colors, types of lines, and sensory qualities. In this step consider the most significant art principles that were used in the artwork. Describe how the artist used them to organize the elements.Suggested questions to help with analysis:
- How has the artist used colors int he work(s)?
- What sort of effect do the colors have on the artwork?
- How as the artist used shapes within the work of art?
- How have lines been used in the work(s)? has the rtist used them as an important or dominant part of the work, or do they play a different roll?
- What role does texture play in the work(s)? Has the artist used the illsuion of texture or has the artist used the illusion of texture or has the artist used actual texture? How has texture been used within the work(s).
- How has the artist used ligth in the work(s)? Is there the illusion of a scene with ligths and shadows, or does the artist use ligth and dark values in a more abstracted way?
- How has the overall visual effect or mood of the woks(s)? Been achieved by the use of elements of art and principles of design.
- How were the artists design tools used to achieve a particular look or focus?
Interpretation: An interpretaion sees to explain the meaning of the work based on what you have learned so far about the artwork, what do you think the artist was trying? to say?
- What was the artist's statement in this work?
- What do you think it means?
- What does it mean to you?
- How does this relate to you and your life?
- What feelings do you have when looking at this artwork?
- Do you think there are things in the artwork that represent other things-symbols?
- Why do you think that the artist chose to work in this manner and made these kinds of artistic decisions?
- Why did the artist create this artwork?
Judgment: After careful observation, analysis, and interpretation of an artwork, you are ready to make your own judgement. This is your personal evaluation based on the understanding of the work(s). Here are questions you might consider:
- Why do you think that this work has intrinsic value or worth? What is the value that you find int the work(s)? (For example, it is a beautiful work of art, conveys an important social message,affects the way that I see the world, make insightful connections, reaffirms a religious belief, etc.)
- Do you think that this work has a benifit for others? Do you find that the work communicates an idea, feeling or principle that would have value for others?
- What kind of an effect do you think the work could have for other?
- Does the work lack value or worth? Why do you think this is so? Could the reason you find the work lacking come from a pooe use of the elements of art? Could the subject matter by unappealing, unimaginative, or repulsive?
- Rather than seeing the work as being very effective or without total value, does the work fall somewhere in-between? Do you think that the work is jusy o.k? What do you base this opinion on? The use of elements of art? Lack of personal expression? The work lacks a major focus? Explor your criticism of the work(s) as much as you would any positive preceptions. Realize that you own tastes and prejudices may enter into your criticism. Give your positive and negative preceptions.
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