Critique

HOW TO CRITIQUE YOUR WORK

Don’t Be Complicated

Do not assume people viewing artwork have any experience or artistic training, so it is vital to communicate in simple and easy to understand terms.  A simple statement of “I paint landscapes, ”or “this is a portrait of my grandmother,” can clarify even the most abstract of work.  A simple statement provides a good starting point and often enough for people to draw their own conclusions.

Be Informative

Basic information and facts can assist people trying to understand the work of art. EX: “I lived in Madisonville as a child and I think this is a big influence over my work now”.  Avoid vague terms and descriptions, but answer questions with useful responses.

Use A Professional

If trouble with words arises, then use someone else to write them for you. The writing itself does not need to be a work of art, but there is a skill in writing succinctly and clearly.

What To Write

About yourself:

•       Why are you an artist?

•       What inspires you?

•       What is your background?

•       What techniques, materials, etc. do you use?

About your work:

•       What is the piece about?

•       How did you make this particular piece of work?

•       How did you start this particular piece?

•       What was the inspiration?

•       What was your mood at the time?

•       Is the piece part of a series?

Provide people with the basics.  Plant the seed and they will draw their own conclusions. It’s better to say too little than too much.


HOW TO CRITIQUE OTHERS ARTWORK

Tell what you see using objective facts. Start with basic information, such as the kind of work it is: sculpture, painting, textile, photograph, etc. Ask yourself the following questions: Who is the artist? What is the title? What materials/tools did the artist use? Where and when was this work produced? Place the work in a historical context by considering what major events occurred in this period. 


Break the work down to its elements and consider how they work together in the work as a whole. Looking at such elements as colors, texture, lines, shapes, movement, repetition, empty space, light and contrast, see how these aspects are organized to achieve the overall effect. 
Asses the artist's craftsmanship and techniques. Are the materials, colors, and textures appropriate to the aesthetic design? Does the overall design appear harmonious or discordant? 



Express what the work means to you and how it makes you feel. Use your experiences and knowledge to determine what the artist is trying to say with the work. Personalize this step and indicate how this work relates to you. What is the concept? What is the artist trying to express? What sort of reaction does it rouse in you? 



Evaluate the work based on the results of the previous steps. Decide if you think the work is a success or failure. Is it original? Does have value? If so, why? Does it bring beauty to the world? Does it convey a poignant universal truth or scalding social commentary? 





DESCRIPTIVE WORDS TO USE

There are many descriptive words one may use when critiquing art.  Analyzing the use of line, tone, movement, texture and/or shape are some ways in which art may be critiqued.

LINE                 TONE                 TEXTURE                SHAPE                  MOVEMENT

Flowing             Subtle                Rough                      Organic                  Swirling

Delicate            Contrasting        Fine                          Curvaceous           Flowing

Simple              Muted                Smooth                    Geometric              Dramatic

Bold                  Dramatic           Coarse                      Angular

Thick                                                                            Elongated

Thin                                              
                                                          
SCALE            CONTRAST        COLOR

Large               Dramatic             Bold
Small               Subtle                 Vibrant
Intimate           Strong                 Subtle
Miniature                                     Pale
Monumental                                Earthy 
                                                    Natural                       

EXTRA

Saturation - refers to the brightness of color

Geometric - refers to the shapes such as circles, triangles, squares, etc.

Organic - free flowing or rounded

Symmetry - meaning it is equal on both sides

Asymmetrical - unequal proportioned elements

Flat tones - no tonal effect in the color

Negative space - the space around the actual form of art

Depth - the illusion of space

Broken color - dabs or small amounts of color

Focal point - the spot that stands out in the artwork 

Distorted - a shape that is changed and no longer looks proportioned