Monday Critique

Each Monday students will be required to attend group critique. This will be worth 50 points; 25 points for having work in the critique, 25 points for participation. Your work MUST be up on the wall during critique. Only work that is 80% finished or more will be discussed during critique time. This will be a chance for students to receive helpful advice and make changes to their work. Artwork will be due and graded in class the Thursday or Friday after critique NO EXCEPTIONS!

Step 1: Clarify

Ask the artist clarifying questions about their work. Avoid clarifying questions that are thinly disguised criticism. Example: what medium did you use? what inspired you to....?

Step 2: Value

Express what strengths you see in their work using specific terms. Do not offer perfunctory “good, but,” and hurry on to the negatives. Do not throw vague complements at the artist. If you "like it" you have to be clear on what that artist has done to make you like it.

Step 3: State concerns

State your puzzles and concerns. Avoid absolutes: “What’s wrong is . . .” Use qualified terms: “I wonder if . . .” “It seems to me . . .” Avoid criticizing personal character or ability and focus on ideas, products, or particular aspects.

Step 4: Suggest

Make helpful specific suggestions on what the artists next steps should be in your opinion. This step is sometimes blended with step 3: people state concerns and then offer suggestions for addressing them. Remember, this is your opinion and should not be given as an order for the artist to follow. Avoid "you should....", try presenting your suggestions in question format leaving room for the artist to respond; "have you considered..." "what do you think about..."