NMED 1000

The Art of the Critique

NMED 1000

The Critique

As outlined in the course outline, critiques are worth 15 % of your final grade

NMED 1000

• What is a critique ?– The art critique is a method of organizing the facts and

your thoughts about a particular work of art or creative product.

– Specific, constructive comments will help not only the artist whose work it is, but also other artists participating in the critique.

NMED 1000

• The Art Critiquing Process is broken down into FOUR areas. – Description– Analysis– Interpretation– Judgment

NMED 1000

• Description• Often the first thing you do when you look at a work of art is to

say "I like it" or "I think that is a terrible piece of art!" It is very difficult not to jump to your opinions first.

• Description simply means to describe the picture. Tell what you see. Talk about the subject, the medium and any information you have gotten from reading the Credit Line, if there is one. This is NOT the place to add your opinions. You must be objective, like a detective who is surveying the scene of a crime and writing down only what she sees.

NMED 1000

• Analysis• Analysis is the second step of the critiquing process. In this

section you will answer the question: How is this work organized? Using combinations of these, the artist creates the mood of the work or expresses a particular point of view or message.

• Analysis is where you will express your thoughts about what the message of the artwork is. What idea does this work represent? This section relies on your knowledge of the Components of Design reading and to articulate in an intelligent manner the information or clues you see in the work.

NMED 1000

• Interpretation• Interpretation is the “anything goes” part of the critique. It is

here that you will ask yourself “What does this work say to me?" However, these should be able to articulate, or express yourself intelligently and respectfully using words, and provide insightful comments.

• Interpretation is very personal. Understand that your interpretation of a work may differ greatly from someone else's. Just as people are different, so are our interpretations.

NMED 1000

• Judgment• Judgment is an important part of the critique process. Here you

can express your opinion. What do you think about this piece of work? Is it successful? Do you like it? You should be able to give some reasons as to why you like or do not like a work of art.

• Is a particular work of art successful? This is the question you must ask yourself during this final step in the critique process. Does the work have artistic merit? Everyone is going to have reasons for liking or disliking a work of art. Saying "I think this is good art" is not enough.

NMED 1000

• The Critique– If you followed the four steps of the art critiquing

process, you can probably explain why you like the work.

– How you value a work of art is a personal judgment. But, it is important that you recognize the importance of works of art and how they represent the world in which we live.

NMED 1000

• Art Critique Questions• l.  What stands out the most when you first

see it?  • 2.  Explain the reason you notice the thing

you mention in number 1.• 3.  As you keep looking, what else seems

important?  . • 4.  Why does the thing you mention in

number 3 seem important ?

NMED 1000

• Art Critique Questions• 5.  Is this canvas composed with intention ?• 6.  What leads your eye around from place to

place? • 7.  What tells you about the style used by this

artist? • 8.. What seems to be hiding in this

composition? 

NMED 1000

• Art Critique Questions• 9.  Why do you think this  was partially

hidden?  • 10. Imagine the feelings and meanings this

work represents?  . • 11. What titles could you give this work? .• 12. What other things interest you about this

work?