How and Why to Express in a Critique

In the "Studio Habits of Mind", learning goal #6 is Express or to "contemplate and articulate ideas about your own art making and the art making of others."

This is something that artists do frequently, whether it is to describe their work on their website, to get their work accepted into an art competition, or writing an artist statement to be placed with their artwork in a gallery or exhibit.  An artist may be called to speak about their work in a show opening or in an interview. Art critics discuss the art of others. In art classes, this is often done in the form of a critique.

A critique or "crit" is a traditional way of giving feedback to others about their work and receiving feedback about your own. It is also an opportunity to talk to others about your own work. The intent is to give constructive, helpful comments, and/or recommendations in a respectful, positive way.

Artists are often very invested emotionally in their creations. Sometimes this makes it hard to see your work objectively. An outsider, often is able to see flaws as well as high points, that the artist has not noticed. Since artists are so close to their work emotionally, we often have a hard time having those flaws pointed out to us. This should be done carefully and tactfully.

Obviously saying something like "wow, that is dreadful" or "I hate that" or "that is stupid" is not appropriate in a critique. Not only are those comments not kind or helpful but they are just opinions. Saying something like "I like the color" or "they did a nice a job" or "that is great" may be kind but those comments are just opinions and not helpful either.

A great response in a critique is not opinion-based, rather it is objective with data to back up the response. This does not mean you can never share an opinion, just that opinions should not be the focus.

"Thumbelina" by Ms. U.

If I were critiquing the above image (imagining that this was created by another artist), I might say that there is a very successful sense of space created with the contrast of small, narrow grasses in the distance compared to larger and wider grasses up in the foreground. I would probably suggest that the artist could improve that sense of space even further through the use of value and color. More dark, warm toned colors in the front and more light, cool tinted colors in the background would exaggerate the sense of space.


In our class critiques I am looking for:

• Objectivity

• An art and/or design vocabulary

• Helpful, constructive advise

• in depth explanation with visual evidence, not a simple statement

• Acknowledgment of success

• in depth explanation with visual evidence, not a simple statement

• Respectful listening and speaking

When your work is being critiqued by others, try to keep an open mind. The purpose of the critique is to help you take your work to the next level - not to demoralize you. Try to use the feedback as inspiration for the future.