Art criticism is a detailed analysis and evaluation of a work of art. It's undeniable that everyone has personal tastes and no two people will react the same way to a work of art, or interpret it in the same way, but there are some basic guidelines you can follow to provide an intelligent and thorough critique. The basic elements of art criticism are description, analysis, interpretation, and judgment.
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Part 1 of 4: Explaining Artwork
Step 1. Gather information about the artwork
This kind of information is usually found on the label of a museum or gallery, or in the description of an art book. By knowing the background of a work of art, you can interpret and understand it better. Begin the critique by providing the following information:
- Artwork title
- Artist name
- Date of manufacture
- Location of manufacture
- Type of media used to create it (e.g. oil painting on canvas)
- Artwork size
Step 2. Describe what you saw
Use neutral words when you describe the artwork. Your description should include information about the shape and scale applied to the artwork. If the artwork features a particular character or object, rather than an abstract shape, explain what it roughly represents.
- For example, you might say, “This painting shows a small portrait of a young woman, from mid-chest up, with a dark back screen. This woman clasps her hands in front of her chest with her eyes up and slightly to the right of the observer. She wore a pink dress, and a long veil hung behind her head.”
- Avoid using words like, “beautiful”, “ugly”, “good”, “or “bad”. At this stage, you just have to describe what you see, without judging it!
Step 3. Discuss the elements of the artwork
Now, you can give a more detailed explanation. Explain how the work uses the five basic elements of art: line, color, space, light, and form.
Step 4. Explain the use of lines
Lines in artwork can be explicit or implicit. Different lines can create different atmospheres or effects. For example:
- Curved lines can create a calming effect, while jagged lines will appear louder, or create a sense of energy.
- Rough, incomplete lines create a sense of movement and freedom, while smooth, unbroken lines convey a sense of calm and carefully planned.
- The line of sight or action can be generated by the arrangement of characters and objects in the painting. For example, a group of characters all looking or pointing in the same direction can create an implicit line that directs your gaze to view the work in a certain way.
Step 5. Talk about using color in the artwork
Pay attention to characteristics such as nuance (red, green, blue, etc.), value (dark or light), and intensity. Observe the overall color scheme, and think about how the colors work together.
For example, do the colors collide with each other, or do they harmonize? Does the work use various colors, or does it tend to be monochromatic (eg all shades of blue)?
Step 6. Explain the use of space in the work
“Space” refers to the area around and between objects in a work of art. When talking about space, focus on things like depth and perspective, overlapping objects, and using empty space to contrast with spaces full of detail.
If you are depicting a two-dimensional work of art, such as a painting, talk about whether it creates the illusion of three-dimensional space and depth
Step 7. Explain the use of light
Light in art can appear warm or cold, bright or dim, natural or artificial. Talk briefly about the role of light and shadow in the artwork.
- If you're talking about a two-dimensional work of art, such as a painting, your attention may be drawn to how the artist created the illusion of light.
- For three-dimensional works of art, such as sculptures, you can discuss how light interacts with the work. For example, does the surface of an object reflect light? Does the statue cast an interesting shadow? Are some parts of the statue darker or lighter than others?
Step 8. Notice how shapes are used in the artwork
Are the shapes used geometric, with perfectly straight lines and curves, or are they more natural? Is the artwork dominated by a certain type of form, or do you see a variety of forms?
- Form plays an important role in both abstract and representative art. For example, in James Sant's portrait of a bride, there is an important triangular shape created by the bride's veil around her shoulders and her hands clasped in front of her chest.
- Once you see a shape in a painting, try to see if it repeats itself elsewhere.
Part 2 of 4: Analyzing Artwork
Step 1. Discuss the use of compositional principles
Now that you've described the artwork, it's time for you to do some analysis, or discuss how it all came together. Start by discussing how the artwork is structured, keeping some basic ideas in mind. As an example:
- Balance: How do colors, shapes, and textures complement each other in the artwork? Does everything create a balanced or harmonious effect, or is there an imbalance?
- Contrast: Does the artwork use color, texture, or light to create contrast? Contrast can also be found in the use of different shapes or contours, such as jagged and curved lines, or geometric and natural shapes.
- Movement: How does the artwork create the effect of movement? Do you need to look at the entire composition in a certain way?
- Proportions: Are the sizes of the various elements in the artwork what you expected, or are they surprising? For example, if the artwork features a group of people, do any of the figures appear larger or smaller than they actually are in real life?
Step 2. Identify the points of interest
Most works of art have one or more focal points designed to attract attention and the eye. In portrait painting, this focal point can be the subject's face or eyes. In still life painting, the focal point may be an object that is placed in the center or that is exposed to light. Try to identify where the emphasis is in the artwork.
- Look at the artwork and notice the elements that immediately grab your attention, or constantly make you want to look at them.
- Ask yourself why your views are drawn to this element. For example, if your attention is focused on one person in the group, is it because he or she is bigger than the others? Was he closer to the observer? Got a brighter beam of light?
Step 3. Find the theme in the artwork
Identify some of the main themes, and discuss how the artist used design elements (color, light, space, shape, and line) to express these themes. Themes can include things like:
- The use of color schemes to give a certain atmosphere or meaning. For example, consider Picasso's painting Blue Period.
- Religious or mythological symbolism and imagery. For example, look at the use of classical mythological figures and symbols in Botticelli's Birth of Venus.
- A recurring image or pattern in a specific artwork or group of artworks. For example, consider how plants and flowers are used in many of Frida Kahlo's paintings.
Part 3 of 4: Interpreting Artwork
Step 1. Try to identify the purpose of the artwork
In other words, what message is the artist trying to convey through his work? Why did he create this work? Try to summarize the general meaning of the artwork according to your understanding.
Step 2. Describe your own reaction
Now it's time to be more subjective. Think about how you felt when you saw the artwork. What do you think is the general atmosphere of the work? Does the work remind you of something (ideas, experiences, other works of art)?
Use expressive language to describe your reaction to the artwork. For example, is the atmosphere sad, hopeful, calm? Would you describe the work as beautiful, or ugly?
Step 3. Provide examples to support your interpretation
Use examples from the description and analysis of the artwork to explain what you think and feel about the artwork.
For example, “I think James Sant's portrait of a young bride tries to illustrate the bride's sense of spiritual devotion. This is reflected in the compositional lines that make the viewer look up, following the direction of the painting's subject's view. It was also expressed by a warm glow emanating from somewhere above the young woman.”
Part 4 of 4: Assessing Artwork
Step 1. Decide if you think the artwork is successful or not
Your goal here is not simply to decide whether the artwork is “good” or “bad”. It's also a good idea to focus on whether the artwork "works". For example, consider the following:
- Do you think the artwork conveys the message the artist is trying to convey?
- Did the artist use good tools and techniques?
- Is the artwork original or imitating the work of other artists?
Step 2. Describe how you would rate the artwork
After deciding on some aspects of the artwork to be assessed, explain the focus of your assessment. For example, you could say that you judged how well the artist organized his work, how well it did from a technical point of view, and whether the work conveyed the mood or theme the artist wanted to express.
Step 3. Summarize why you think the artwork was successful or not
Describe, in a few sentences, your assessment of the artwork. Provide specific reasons to support your assessment, using your interpretation and analysis of the work.
