ART CRITICISM practice for students

1. ART CRITICISM

2. Works of art are meant to be seen and appreciated. Appreciating art means we
look at art and think about what we see. We might like it for one reason, or we
may not like it because of another. A more formal way of looking at art and judging
art is called art criticism. Art criticism is a process that allows you to present your
ideas clearly.
● It is a way for us to perceive an artist’s intentions and develop your own interpretation
and judgement
● Is done to help you understand a particular work of art by using what you know of the
elements and principles of art.
● Establishes where the artwork fits in with the different artistic styles and movements
throughout art history.

3. Feldman Model
While there are various ways to critique art, we are going to use the Feldman
model of analysis. It involves:
DESCRIPTION
ANALYSIS JUDGEMENT
INTERPRETATION

4. DESCRIPTION
Describe what you see. Use your knowledge of elements of design and be a
detective. Gather information about things you actually see. Focus on facts but do
not interpret what you see.
● Do you see lines, shapes, colours, forms, objects, texture, people etc.?
● What medium is used?
● What is the name of the artwork?
● Who is the artist?
● When was the artwork created?

5. Norval Morrisseau, The Land Rights, acrylic,
1976.
McMichael Art Gallery.
Artist's name:
Name of Artwork:
Date:
Medium:
Describe what you see:
DESCRIPTION

6. ANALYSIS
This is where you analyze what you have seen and described.
● How has the artist used the elements of art (line, shape, texture, form, space,
colour and value) with the principles of art (balance, proportion, unity,
harmony, variety, emphasis, rhythm, and movement) ?
● Use your knowledge of principles of design and look for patterns, similarities,
differences, rhythm, movement etc.

7. Norval Morrisseau, The Land Rights, acrylic,
1976.
McMichael Art Gallery.
Discuss how the elements and principles of art are being
used. (Be specific, do not say, “the artist uses line”. Try
instead, “the artist has created rhythm by repeating lines in
the figure’s bodies”.)
ANALYSIS

8. INTERPRETATION
This is where you interpret the meaning of evidence gathered in steps 1 and 2.
Use your knowledge and understanding about art and life and develop a
hypothesis (an informed guess) about the artwork’s meaning.
● This can be a story the art tells
● A mood the art conveys
● A meaning or message the art is telling
● Or ALL three.

9. Norval Morrisseau, The Land Rights, acrylic,
1976.
McMichael Art Gallery.
What is the mood, story or meaning behind the artwork?
Hint: Sometimes the title can give us a bit of a clue!
INTERPRETATION

10. JUDGEMENT
This is where you judge if you believe the work of art successful? A work of art can be
successful or unsuccessful technically and conceptually.
Technically successful means the artist used the Elements and Principles well, and
used their materials well.
Conceptually successful means the artist had good ideas and communicated them well
to the viewer.
You can also state in your judgement whether you like the work or not and what
specifically makes you feel this way.

11. Norval Morrisseau, The Land Rights, acrylic,
1976.
McMichael Art Gallery.
Do you think the artwork is technically or conceptually good?
Why or why not? Do you like this artwork? Why or why not?
There is no right or wrong answer as long as you can justify
your response.
JUDGEMENT