A critique is an endeavour to comprehend an artwork and understand the intent of the artist. They take two forms: written reviews and public critiques (ie art class critiques). Public critiques may be a very intimidating experience, especially if you are shy or do not like public speaking. I’ve always preferred written critiques, since I have the time to gather thoughts, and form my own opinions on the piece.
This is the Feldman Method of critiquing art, which is Description, Analyzing, Interpretation, and Evaluation. This is the method that I was personally taught in art school.
What follows are general guidelines for the critiquing of art which may benefit whether you are an art school student, or want to write about art on an art blog.
Answer only the questions that relate to the artwork being reviewed when writing about art.
Writing a Critique of Art
Description
Make the first sentence count, and grab the reader’s attention. State only factual information about the artwork, and give a basic background history of the artist. Include the title, art materials, artist, date, and location of the painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.
- What was your first impression when viewing the painting/sculpture?
- What does the artwork look like to you?
- What objects can be recognized?
- What is the subject of the painting?
- What textures, colors, and shapes are there in the piece?
- What about line, forms, and space?
If you have trouble thinking of words to fit your descriptions, check out this art word list.
Analysis
Give an evaluation of the aesthetic principles and elements seen within the artwork.
What stands out and draws your eye within the artwork?
- Write about the commonalities of the design elements previously mentioned.
- How are they organized or related?
- Think about contrast, rhythm, balance, proportion, variety, and emphasis.
Interpretation
State your personal interpretation based on background experiences, and what you know about art, but try not to ramble. Stare at the artwork for awhile and gather your thoughts.
- What is the painting, sculpture, drawing, etc. about?
- What message is the artist trying to convey?
- Does the artwork have a purpose?
- What feelings do you get from the piece?
- Does it remind you of something?
- What point is the artist trying to get across, in your opinion?
Evaluation
This is the conclusion to the art critique. Be sincere and intelligent. Summarize what the painting is about, in your own words. State your personal feelings and thoughts.
- Did your first impression change, and why?
- Do you think it was a successful artwork?
- Is it unique?
- Is it an accurate depiction of the artist’s skill? Can you do better?
- Can you readily understand the subject matter, and does the design elements (space, form, line, shape, color, texture) help you to do so?
- Was the artwork well planned, in your opinion?
- Would you buy it or hang it in your home?
- Have you learned anything that you could apply to your own art?
- Does the painting inspire you?
- Is it a good representation of the category of art?
Critiquing art takes practice. If you have not critiqued an artwork, why not try critiquing one right now.
Please critique my graphite drawing above, entitled “Beginning of the Rainbow”.
Well done Graham. This is a very useful guide for those of us not so academically inclined. I think this will be extremely helpful now that I am writing more and more about art in my blogs. You have a VERY personable and engaging manner of imparting challenging information. Again, thanks for sharing from your wealth of knowledge and experience.
ReplyDelete@Michael Gaudet
ReplyDeleteThank-you Michael!
Those paintings on your blog are amazing! http://www.gaudetart.blogspot.com/
...So vibrant and full of color!
Thank you so much for this advice, my art teacher gave us no insight on how to critique and this really helped, it was intelligent and easy to understand, thank you!! :)
ReplyDeletenow i feel easy because i simply got it
ReplyDeletethank you now got it about critiquing
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these wonderful tips! The thing is that I want to become an essay writer, and at the moment I'm looking for any information that will help me increase my writing skills. It would be great to see an article on writing an essay on your website. After all, even today such information is not enough on the Internet. Maybe someone from your site's visitors or you could advise me some book about writing an essay, I would be very grateful for that. It's really great that you share such an interesting and useful type of content!
ReplyDeleteIts a great pleasure reading your post.Its full of information I am looking for and I love to post a comment that "The content of your post is awesome" Great work. Best Dissertation Writing Service Projectsdeal
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteWhen your website or blog goes live for the first time, it is exciting. delhi top school That is until you realize no one but you and your
Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. If possible, Baptist Convent Schoolas you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with extra information? It is extremely helpful for me.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, the best thing is to make the right list of questions.
ReplyDeleteWhat was your first impression when viewing the painting/sculpture?
What does the artwork look like to you?
What objects can be recognized?
What is the subject of the painting?
What textures, colors, and shapes are there in the piece?
Which will surely push you to the correct spelling?
Also, you can find a good writing service, read reviews about them and choose the best one. For example, studymoose - https://essayreviewexpert.com/review/studymoose/, can prepare a lot of information and even criticism of a certain picture, perhaps even provide an opinion on the side that will be useful information at the time of writing