Art Criticism, while perhaps sounding negative, refers to the basic talking and writing about art. Just like movie critics, Art critics talk about artworks, telling us about them and their opinions.
In a good Art Critique the critic will do the following 4 things:
Describe
Analyze
Interpret
Judge
Description: Describe the artwork. Do not assume that the person reading your writing is also looking at the artwork you are describing. Even if they are, describe the artwork as you experience it. A picture is worth a thousand words, use these words.
Analysis: This is the part that specifically discusses the little parts that make up the whole. Does the image have emphasis? How did the artist create it? Is there balance? Contrast? Leading lines? Rule of thirds? The analysis allows the critic to break down the artistic decisions the artist made, and discuss how they effect each other for the good or bad.
Interpretation: An interpretation is almost always strait opinion. This is the critics view on what the artwork is saying, what it is about, how it connects within. While it is only opinion, an opinion without any ties to the artwork, probably isn't very accurate. Interpretation can be written throughout the entire critique. Interpretation and description go hand in hand. Often the describing words you choose help set the mood for your interpretation. For example: If you described the clouds in the sky as angry clouds as opposed to sleepy clouds, the description is effecting the interpretation.
Judge: The final say. Was it good or not? Was it successful? Did the artist do what they set out to? When judging, it is ok to like or dislike something. The important part is that you can justify your opinion. If you think it is a weak pathetic attempt at a painting, explain exactly why. If all you say is, "its not very good" but you never tell us why-- then your judgement becomes invalid.
The following are 2 examples we discussed at length in class. Each critiques the same photograph. Each has all 4 components. One is clearly a better example.
EXAMPLE ONE:
There is a girl sitting with her head down. She looks sad. There is a leading line that takes us to her. It is the crack in the cement. This makes me think the artist was sad. I think this pictures was good because the lighting. I think what could have been better was the artist could have made the girl not so sad.
EXAMPLE TWO: (better)
Against an empty brick wall, sits a girl, with her knees clutched to her chest. Her black hair spilling over her shoulders, as her face desperately hides itself from the invisible sorrow that dances in the air around her. A soft light from above cradles this young one with protective arms keeping her safe from the darkness, that is creeping in from the corners, lying in wait to unleash its fury.
A guiding line cuts through the black and empty void, leading us to the girl. The silvery grays create a subtle war between the light and the darks keeping a soft but strong edge of contrast that lets us know that while she appears safe in her anguish, the light is dimming, and before long she will be lost in a darkness that will devour her.
This photograph brilliantly portrays the pain we suffer as individuals alone. It communicates clearly the melancholy we have all felt when life beats us down and we fall victim to darkness.
After reading and breaking apart both of these critiques the assignment was to look at Parkeharrison's "Guardian" and write a critique using the 4 components. Posting it to your portfolio when you are finished.
In a good Art Critique the critic will do the following 4 things:
Describe
Analyze
Interpret
Judge
Description: Describe the artwork. Do not assume that the person reading your writing is also looking at the artwork you are describing. Even if they are, describe the artwork as you experience it. A picture is worth a thousand words, use these words.
Analysis: This is the part that specifically discusses the little parts that make up the whole. Does the image have emphasis? How did the artist create it? Is there balance? Contrast? Leading lines? Rule of thirds? The analysis allows the critic to break down the artistic decisions the artist made, and discuss how they effect each other for the good or bad.
Interpretation: An interpretation is almost always strait opinion. This is the critics view on what the artwork is saying, what it is about, how it connects within. While it is only opinion, an opinion without any ties to the artwork, probably isn't very accurate. Interpretation can be written throughout the entire critique. Interpretation and description go hand in hand. Often the describing words you choose help set the mood for your interpretation. For example: If you described the clouds in the sky as angry clouds as opposed to sleepy clouds, the description is effecting the interpretation.
Judge: The final say. Was it good or not? Was it successful? Did the artist do what they set out to? When judging, it is ok to like or dislike something. The important part is that you can justify your opinion. If you think it is a weak pathetic attempt at a painting, explain exactly why. If all you say is, "its not very good" but you never tell us why-- then your judgement becomes invalid.
The following are 2 examples we discussed at length in class. Each critiques the same photograph. Each has all 4 components. One is clearly a better example.
EXAMPLE ONE:
There is a girl sitting with her head down. She looks sad. There is a leading line that takes us to her. It is the crack in the cement. This makes me think the artist was sad. I think this pictures was good because the lighting. I think what could have been better was the artist could have made the girl not so sad.
EXAMPLE TWO: (better)
Against an empty brick wall, sits a girl, with her knees clutched to her chest. Her black hair spilling over her shoulders, as her face desperately hides itself from the invisible sorrow that dances in the air around her. A soft light from above cradles this young one with protective arms keeping her safe from the darkness, that is creeping in from the corners, lying in wait to unleash its fury.
A guiding line cuts through the black and empty void, leading us to the girl. The silvery grays create a subtle war between the light and the darks keeping a soft but strong edge of contrast that lets us know that while she appears safe in her anguish, the light is dimming, and before long she will be lost in a darkness that will devour her.
This photograph brilliantly portrays the pain we suffer as individuals alone. It communicates clearly the melancholy we have all felt when life beats us down and we fall victim to darkness.
After reading and breaking apart both of these critiques the assignment was to look at Parkeharrison's "Guardian" and write a critique using the 4 components. Posting it to your portfolio when you are finished.
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