Responding to Art
Name: ___________________________________________ Date: _____________________
Art Criticism: As an observer, you are also an art critic. Good observers and art critics describe, analysis,
interpret, and finally judge the work. Apply these principles to the artwork selected.
The name of the artwork is:
The artist is:
DESCRIBE what you see in the artwork.
People: (Who are they?)
Animals:
Objects:
Time of Day: (How do you know, or not know?)
Location: (Can be geographic or more specific)
ANALYZE the elements of art and principles of design that the artist used. Think about how the composition is
organized and how the different parts of the artwork relate. Think about why the artist made the choices
he/she did. Circle (or highlight) the terms and explain your choices.
Colors: (primary, secondary, warm, cool, tone, value)
Lines: (straight, horizontal, vertical, diagonal, curving, smooth, jagged, broken, thick, thin, directional,
converging)
Shapes/Forms: (geometric, organic, hard-edged, freeform)
Textures: (rough, smooth, shiny, soft, hard, bumpy, fuzzy, actual, visual, simulated)
Space: (deep, flat, shallow, overlapping, negative, positive, linear/aerial perspective)
Other: (focal point, emphasis, movement, rhythm, pattern, repetition, balance, proportion, unity, variety)
INTERPRET the meaning of this artwork. What is the painting about? What was the artist’s purpose for
creating it? Sometimes the name of the artwork contains a clue you can use to answer these questions.
Different people have different interpretations of the same work. A personal answer is fine as long as you give
valid reasons for your response.
JUDGE how successful the artist was in creating this work of art. Before you write your answer, think about
these issues: purpose of the artwork; use of the elements of art and the principles of design; communicating
ideas or concepts; benefit the artwork will have to others.
RESPOND to one of the following statements and explain your response.
I like this artwork because…
I do not like this artwork because…