A step-by-step tutorial for a visual arts critique

1. How to Discuss
Artwork
4 Easy Steps to master
the Art Critique!

2. 1. Describe
2. Analyze
3. Interpret
4. Judge

3. Step 1: Description
•What kind of artwork is this?
Who created this artwork, and what is the title?
When was this artwork created?
What are some major events in history that occurred at the same time
this artwork was created?
List the literal objects in the painting (trees, people, animals, etc.)
Consider the significant art elements that are present in this artwork and
BALANCE CONTRAST
EMPHASIS VARIETY
HARMONY MOVEMENT
GRADATION UNITY
RHYTHM DEPTH
PROPORTION COMPOSITION
Step 1: Description
-What kind of artwork is this
-Who created it, and what is the title?
-When was this artwork created? What major events in history
occurred around this time?
-List the objects you see (trees, people, shapes, etc).
-Consider the significant art elements that are present in this
artwork and describe them:
LINE TEXTURE
SHAPE COLOR
FORM VALUE
SPACE PATTERN

4. 1. What objects do you
see?
2. Describe the texture of
the brushstrokes.
3. Are the colors neutral
or saturated?
4. How are dark and light
values used in this
painting?
5. What path do your
eyes take in this painting?
Umberto Boccioni Still Life with Glass and Siphon 1914

5. Step 2: Analysis
In this step, consider the most significant art principles
that were used in the artwork. Describe how the artist
used them to organize the elements.
BALANCE CONTRAST
EMPHASIS VARIETY
HARMONY MOVEMENT
GRADATION UNITY
RHYTHM DEPTH
PROPORTION COMPOSITION

6. 1. How is movement
created in this print?
2. Can you find repeating
shapes that create
rhythm?
3. Does the size of
objects describe depth in
this image? How?
4. Is this print balanced?
Why or why not?
5. Do the tones in this
print create high or low
contrast?
Katsushita Hokusai The Waterfall where Yoshitsune Washed his Horse 1832

7. Step 3: Interpretation
Based on what learned so far about the artwork, what do
you think the artist was trying to say?
Why did this artist create this artwork?
What do you think it means?
What feelings do you have when looking at this artwork?
Do you think there are things in the artwork that
represent other things- symbols?

8. 1. What do you think the
artist is trying to say?
2. What do you think it
means?
3. What feelings does this
work give you?
4. Do you see symbols
that might represent
something important?
Ida Applebroog Mother I am Ill 1993

9. Step 4: Judgment
Do you like this artwork?
Do you think it is an important artwork?
Would you display this artwork in your home?
Does this belong in a museum?
Explain why you feel the way you do about this
artwork based on what you have learned about it.

10. 1. Do you like this
artwork?
2. Do you think it is a
good artwork?
3. Would you display this
in your home?
4. Is this artwork good
enough to put in a
museum?
5. Why do you feel this
way?
Friedensreich Hundertwasser The 30 Day Fax Picture 1994

11. 1. Describe
2. Analyze
3. Interpret
4. Judge
5. Additional Comments
Ellen Gallagher Millie Christine from “Deluxe” 2004-2005

12. Gianlorenzo Bernini Apollo and Daphne 1622-25
1. Describe
2. Analyze
3. Interpret
4. Judge
5. Additional Comments

13. Ingres Josephine-Eleonore-Marie-Pauline de Galard de Brassac de Bearn 1853
1. Describe
2. Analyze
3. Interpret
4. Judge
5. Additional Comments

14. Fred Wilson Safe House II (Speak of Me as I Am) 2003
1. Describe
2. Analyze
3. Interpret
4. Judge
5. Additional Comments

15. Frida Kahlo The Two Fridas 1939
1. Describe
2. Analyze
3. Interpret
4. Judge
5. Additional Comments

16. Cai Guo-Qiang Inopportune:State Two 2004
1. Describe
2. Analyze
3. Interpret
4. Judge
5. Additional Comments

17. Gustave Caillebotte The Garden at Petit Gennevilliers in Winter 1894
1. Describe
2. Analyze
3. Interpret
4. Judge
5. Additional Comments

18. Piet Mondrian Broadway Boogie Woogie 1942-1943
1. Describe
2. Analyze
3. Interpret
4. Judge
5. Additional Comments

19. Jaques-Louis David Death of Marat 1793
1. Describe
2. Analyze
3. Interpret
4. Judge
5. Additional Comments

20. Richard Diebenkorn Ocean Park No.54 1972
1. Describe
2. Analyze
3. Interpret
4. Judge
5. Additional Comments