SAMANTHA DA SILVA | FINE ART
  • HOME
  • FINE ART
  • INSTRUCTION
  • COMMISSIONS
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • BLOG

13 Questions to Help You Critique a Painting

3/26/2014

 
Picture

When a student makes the effort and places their painting in front of the classroom for a critique, there is nothing more disheartening than to be met by silence.

The following are the Top 13 Questions I suggest my students ask themselves, so as to help them comment on a painting constructively:

  1. How does the painting make you feel? 

  2. What is it in the painting that generated an emotional response?

  3. Does the painting draw your eye in and keeps you looking?

  4. Is the composition balanced?

  5. Is there a focal point? 

  6. Does it need a focal point?

  7. Is there contrast?

  8. Is there texture?

  9. Is there movement? 

  10. In your opinion, is the painting finished?

  11. Are there any elements in the painting that require further work?

  12. Is there anything you would add or take away to make the painting more successful?

  13. What kind of mood do you think the artist was in?

For most of my students, silence happens for two main reasons:

  1. They do not feel qualified - Students feel that in order to critique effectively, they need to know about art history and/or technicalities such as composition and perspective. They don't.

  2. They are afraid to hurt the artist's feelings - If we are to grow as artists, we need feedback that goes a little deeper  than: "It's nice" or "I love it" or "This painting doesn't work". Think about how it would feel if someone said it to you and if necessary, re-phrase it.

A critique is about creating dialogue: We all have opinions and are entitled to express them.


Comments are closed.
    This blog was created to share my belief that the art-making process is a catalyst for transformation and personal empowerment. I am living proof. 

    Categories

    All
    DaSilva Method
    Exhibitions
    Hawaii
    Paris
    Stories
    Workshops

    Archive

    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013

  • HOME
  • FINE ART
  • INSTRUCTION
  • COMMISSIONS
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • BLOG