This critique should be typed, double spaced and include a picture of the artwork. If you cannot print a color image of the artwork, you can create a photocopy in the library or write down the website address.
The following steps—description, analysis, interpretation and evaluation— are the steps in a formal critique.
Describe (What do you see?)
This stage is like taking inventory.
Analyze (What do you know?)
Try to figure out what the artist has done to achieve certain effects. You should refer to your first impressions and try to explain how the artwork achieves that reaction.
Q. Use the vocabulary you learned in class. For example, if looking at a black and white image and you learned about the value scale, you can talk about the shades of light and dark or areas of chiaroscuro.
Q. How are the elements of art (color, shape, line, texture, space, form, value) and the principles of design (balance, contrast, emphasis, movement/rhythm, unity, variety) used in this artwork? For example: The colors are monochromatic and create a sens of balance bwtween the objects in the background and foreground.
Q. What do you notice about the artist's choice of materials? For example: The artist used thick paint strokes.
Q. What grabs your attention in the work? Refer to your first impression.
Interpret (What can you interpret?)
Try to figure out what the artwork is about. Your own perspectives, associations and experiences meet with "the evidence" found in the work of art. All art works are about something. Some art works are about color, their subject matter, and social or cultural issues. Some art works are very accessible — that is, relatively easy for the viewer to understand what the artist was doing. Other works are highly intellectual, and might not be as easy for us to readily know what the artist was thinking about.
Q. What is the theme or subject of the work? What mood or emotions does the artwork communicate?
Q. What is the work about; what do you think it means?
Q. Why do you think that artist created this work?
Q. What do you think the artist's view of the world is?
Evaluate (What does this mean to you?)
This is a culminating and reflecting activity. You need to come to some conclusions about the artwork based on all the information you have gathered and on your interpretations.
Q. Have your thoughts or feelings about the artwork changed since your first impression? If so, how? What made you change your mind?
Q. If not, can you now explain your first reaction to the work?
Q. What have you seen or learned from this work that you might apply to your own art work or your own thinking? For example: I realized by using warm colors I can create a sense of energy in my own work. The warm colors are active.