"Describe" The First Step of Critiquing a Work of Art

Intro to Drawing and Painting

Take a look at Van Gogh's painting of, "Starry Night".  Use the checklist below to help you be thorough when describing the look of the painting.

1. Describe what you see. This is the objective (not subjective or personal) portion of the Art Critique. Objective information or analysis is fact-based where as subjective information is based on personal opinions, interpretations, points of view, emotions & judgment.

Objective Information involves a technical description-nothing more. It should include things like:

ü  Artist's name.

ü  Title of work.

ü  Type of artwork (acrylic, oil, pencil...etc)

ü  Subject of the painting (scene).

ü  Objects in the painting.

ü  First impression. Note the characteristics of the artwork that first jump out at you.

ü  Colors used (complementary, analogous, monochromatic, tints...etc)

ü  Shapes, lines and texture.

ü  Light saturation.

ü  Sensory qualities. Identify the predominant mood and visual effect.