Helpful Tips for Critique!

Some of you wanted this as a news article so here you are ^^

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I thought I’d type a journal on some guidelines for critique. I’ve found them helpful and constructive when it comes to using this approach on my own artwork. If anything this has helped me to open my mind on how many different perceptions there are when it comes to art.

Most importantly, have fun and use every work as a learning experience!

1) What was the artist’s purpose in making this piece (or body of work?)

This is the traditional jumping off place where you as the observer should look at the piece and make some judgments based on the information you have before you. This question applies to all forms of visual art, including painting, drawing, sculpture, photography ceramics, etc.

2) Does the piece (or object) tell a story or make a statement? If so, how?

If the piece is abstract or non-objective, you might ask yourself if the statement is about color, line, light, texture, composition, etc. A work of abstract art may make a statement, but not tell a story. Think about the differences between a story and a statement.

3)  Does the piece have any gestural or emotional characteristics? Which qualities or elements effect those perceptions?

When considering gestural and emotional characteristics, take a moment to define or describe what those qualities might look like to you.

4) What aspects of the piece are open to differing interpretations by the viewer?

This question might cause you to think about your own perceptions of symbols. Our world is full of symbols and we attach certain personal meanings to them as well as universal meaning. Or perhaps you can see several options for a reading of a painting.

5) How would the effect of the piece be changed if it were made from other materials?

Don’t take for granted just because you are looking at a painting/drawing, etc. couldn’t have been made from different materials…like bronze, paper cast, plactic, glass, aluminum, wood, photography…would the piece be more powerful if it were in bronze? Ask yourself a LOT of questions.
Traditional vs. Digital?  What would it look like in 3D?  I like to think of my drawings as sculptures-some artist’s make sculptures to help them capture the 3D form of their subject for a drawing, or vice versa.

6) Does the piece change your visual perceptions about material or form?

This question is about what you know and understand about materials. If you are looking at a watercolor painting, has the artist done something with watercolor that you did not know could be done?
What are the limits of materials and did the artist use them in a traditional or non-traditional way?

7) Is there a good balance between craftsmanship and concept? Doe the the quality of construction add or take away from the ideas in the piece?

This question is asking you to look at the artwork in relationship to craftsmanship.
Ex: Is it well constructed? Good use of materials, hang flat against the wall (if it is supposed to) etc.

8) Is the size appropriate? How would our perceptions be changed if the piece were smaller or larger?

This is an important question that is not a question of personal preference, but one of concept. Has the artist chosen the correct size to convey the message?

9) Are some elements of the piece more important than others? Which ones? Are any of the elements unnecessary to complete the idea?

This question has to do with characters/characteristics and supporting characters. What elements of the composition dominate and what elements support?
Ex: Think about a story, book or movie in which there were just eh right amount of characters, car chases, songs, fight scenes, or contrast that with the ones that had too much of something. In dance, the definition of grace is, the absence of all unnecessary motion. That is a great way to look at art. What is the right amount of information to convey an idea?

10) Is it necessary to break the piece down into parts for understanding, or regroup them? (Similarity, proximity, color, material, direction, gesture.)

Even in a very narrative piece you might have to analyze parts to get a comprehensive meaning.

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I am currently going through a ‘what is the meaning of all of this?’ phase with my art/creativity. Some of the guidelines may work for you, and some of them might not, you don’t have to use all of them by any means. They are just here to give you a different way of looking at the expressive side of all of us we call ART.