VIRTU A love of or taste for works of art or curios;
a knowledge of or interest in the fine arts as a subject or interest

Search

Virtu

Virtu Home Page

Virtu Services

Email Virtu

Virtu-Art Books

Navigation

Art Brushes - A Virtu Guide

Art Movements

Movement Outline

How to Write an Artisist Statment

How to Stretch a Canvas

How to be a Responsible Collector

How to Critique a Painting

e-commerce and the internet

Preparing for an Exhibition

How to Photograph Your Own Artwork

How to Price Your Art

Studio Visits + Gallery Interviews

Guide to Approaching Galleries

Oscar Wilde - Lecture to Art Students

Glossary of Art Terms

Links + Resources

SW Cork Artists, Crafters, Galleries + Studios

Art Guilds, Councils, Collectives etc

Irish Art Related Links

Art + Craft Education Resources

Government Links

Art Magazines + Ezines

Artists Supplies Links

Looking for Art Books? Cant be bothered to sort through 100's titles before you get what you want? Virtu Art has it all sorted into easy catagories Just go to Virtu Art Books Index Page Click and Go Enjoy ;-)~~

How to Critique a Painting

Tips to help you comment constructively on other artists' work.

It's only natural to want people to like our paintings, but if we're to grow as artists, then we need statements that say a little more than simply “it's nice” or “I love it” or “I don't think this painting works”. We need information on what specifically is nice, loved, or isn't working. Specific, constructive comments will help not only the artist whose painting it is, but also other artists reading the critique. It will also help you look at your own work with a fresh eye.

How to Read Paintings (Chambers Arts Library S.)
This is an insight into the creative and technical processes involved in the creation of a painting, and should allow readers to get more from visits to galleries and museums. Composition, subject matter, use of colour, the human figure and different artistic styles are all treated and exemplified by colour illustrations of some of the most famous paintings of all time

You don't need to be a professional painter commanding high prices for your work or have a degree in art history in order to critique a painting. We all have opinions and are entitled to express them.

Think about what you like or dislike in the painting, focus in on why you like or dislike this and then put your reasons into everyday words. Is there anything you think could be improved or would have done differently? Is there something you wish you'd thought of doing? Don't feel you need to comment on the whole painting; even a sentence or two on a small element will be helpful to the artist.

Any artist asking for a critique takes the risk that they may not like what people say. But it's a risk worth taking to develop as an artist and as with any opinion or advice, they're free to accept or reject it. Don't be personal; you're talking about one specific painting, not the artist. Think about how you'd feel if someone said it to you and, if necessary, rephrase it. But rather say something short than nothing; if an artist's taken the step of putting a painting out for critique, it's very disheartening to be met by silence.

Regarding technicalities, such as perspective correctness such as accurate perspective and proportions, is only one aspect of a painting that you can comment on. Don't forget the subject matter and the emotional impact; talk about how the painting made you feel, your immediate response to it, what is it in the painting that generated an emotional response? Look at the composition and elements in the painting: does it draw your eye in, does it tell a story that keeps you looking, where is the main focus of the painting? Would you change anything, and why? Is there any aspect you particularly admire, and why? Does any aspect need further work? Could an idea be developed further? Read the artist's statement, if there is one, then consider whether the artist has achieved their stated aim.

A Short Guide to Writing About Art
'A Short Guide to Writing About Art', seventh edition, equips students to analyze pictures (drawings, paintings, photographs), sculpture, and architecture, and prepares them with the tools they need to present their ideas in effective writing. It addresses matters such as distinguishing between description and analysis, editing and more

Painting Critique Checklist

Things to consider when looking a painting

Size: Remember to take a look at the actual size of the painting and try to visualise it that big rather than the size of the photo on your computer screen.

Shape: Does the shape of the canvas landscape or portrait suit the subject matter? For example, a very long and thin canvas can add to the drama of a landscape (see ltamaha River Delta by Curtis H Carter and Huntington Beach Pier by Bob Phillips).

Artist's Statement: Has the artist achieve their stated aim? Do you agree with their statement or interpretation of their painting, remembering that what the artist intends and what the viewer sees aren't always the same thing (see The Blue Carpet by Rami Mohammed Ahmmed Taha).

Title of the Painting: What is the title of the painting? What does it tell you about the painting and how does it guide your interpretation? Take a look at Autumn Gold by Keri Ippolito and think about how you might have interpreted the painting if it had been called something else, such as “Bush Fire” or “Aftermath”.

Subject Matter: What is the painting of? Is it unusual, unexpected, controversial (see Needle Stick by Peg Lattinville) or intriguing (see Three Spheres by Bill Wilburn)? Does it lend itself to comparison to work by a famous painter (see Abstract by Ron Johnson and Urban Apartment by Kori Klyman)? Do you understand the symbolism in the painting (see What My Country Iran Has Become by Ardeshir Tabrizi)?

Emotional Response: Does the painting generate an emotional reaction in you (see Silent Scream by Diane Dobson Barton and The Buggy Programmer by Alejandro Corpe'o). What is the overall mood of the painting, and is this suitable for the subject?

Composition: How have the elements of the painting been placed? Does your eye flow across the whole painting or does one element selfishly dominate? Is the main focus of the painting slap-bang in the centre of the painting (both vertically and horizontally), or off to one side? Is there anything that draws your eye into or across the painting (see The Cliffs by Bob Phillips)? Also consider whether it's been slavishly copied from reality or from a photograph rather than thought put into which elements were included?