Unit 2 What are the components of an Art Critique lesson?
What are the components of an Art Critique?
An Art Critique consists of four categories. Describe, Analyze, Interpret and Judge (or Evaluate). By breaking a critique down into these four categories, students can organize their thoughts and thoroughly state their opinion as well as discuss with their peers.
Sometimes using a worksheet with younger students helps them with their thinking. An example is below:
Four Categories of Art Critique
Describe
This category is the first of four. The viewer first names everything they see when they initially look at the artwork. This introductory process may be vague because as the viewer goes through the next categories of the critique, their observations will become more specific. Some questions to ask are:
1. What do you see?
2. What is the subject matter?
- Video of an elementary student describing artwork [[1]]
Analyze
This category is the second of four. Analyzing is similar to describing in that the viewer is naming what they see, however, focusing on elements and principles they see. Elements are line, shape, color, value, texture, form, and space. Principles are pattern, movement, balance, contrast, emphasis, rhythm and unity. This step is the final one to naming what the viewer sees in the artwork. Some questions to ask are:
1. What elements are being used?
2. What principles are being created?
Interpret
This category is the third of four. This is where the viewer engages in deeper level thinking and questioning. Interpreting an artwork refers to the mood, meaning, symbolism or theme the artist is showing. The viewer at this point must use what they have described and analyzed in order to interpret a deeper meaning (if there is one) Some questions to ask are:
1. What is the mood?
2. What is the meaning?
3. Is there a theme?
4. Is there any symbolism?
5. How is the color showing a somber mood?
- Video example of connecting what is seen to possible meaning and deeper level questioning. [[2]]
Judge/Evaluate
This category is the final of four. The viewer takes all of the prior knowledge and information and puts it all together into a cohesive opinion. This is where the viewer finally states whether they like or do not like the artwork and why. For whatever answer or opinion they have, they must be able to support their response. Some questions to ask are:
- Each of these questions must have a follow up question- why or how
1. Do you like this work? Why?
2. Why do you not like this work? Why?
3. Is this a successful piece of art? Why?
4. Do you think the artist communicated their message? Why and How?
- The Incredible Art Department is a great resource on Art lessons. Check out this source for Art Critique questioning!
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