The Art of Critique

Advanced Drawing and Painting

The four steps to critique are describe, analyze, interpret, and judge. 

We will be critiquing our own artwork, as well as, some famous works of art as the semester continues. Artists' style evolve over time and can be influenced by the artwork of others.  Maybe the way you view art will evolve as we begin studying the works of Picasso, Matisse, and Chagall.  Complete the following Journal Entry (below images) to help you better understand the following paintings and the art of critique. 

In you sketchbook follow the steps to critique a painting by Marc Chagall.  First you must discover the name of the painting and the year it was painted.     

1.   DESCRIBE:  What do you see?  What are the most obvious elements of design? What is going on or what action is taking place?  Elements of Design:  line, texture, shape, color, space,  (there are more, but refer to these)

2.   ANALYZE:  How have the Elements been arranged into Principles? What are the principles doing?  Is there a storyline?  Principles:  Balance, contrast, emphasis, harmony, movement, rhythm, pattern (there are more but refer to these)

3.   INTERPRET:  What are the ideas, emotions or aesthetics being communicated to you? What do you think the meaning of the ART is, what is it trying to say to do or say to you?   Context of Art: Time and Place; Social/Economic/Political/Spiritual Setting; Mood or Emotion qualities; Life and expertise of the Artist.

4.   JUDGE:  Is the art work visually pleasing/aesthetic?Would you say the art achieved its goal for you or the artist?  Is the work well crafted?

(modified excerpts from,  “The Art of Seeing”)