7th Grade Critique!

Today we held a critique in art class. Usually when I have one or two students claim, "I'm done," I know it's time to take a break, put all of the artwork up on the wall and talk about it. Critiques are a wonderful way to get the kids to take a step back and look at their work from a new perspective, as well as get feedback from classmates about their artwork. They often get ideas from looking at the other pieces as well as from comments made by their peers. The critique involves much more than the relatively simple act of judging--of determining whether one "likes" or "dislikes" a piece or whether it's "good" or "bad". Evaluating the work is a difficult task and it's necessary for students to explain why they feel the way they do. "Thumbs up" or "thumbs down" won't cut it!

When talking about a piece, students are encouraged to describe, analyze and interpret it... They should make comments about what they see, why it makes an impression, what it might mean or how it makes the viewer feel. They are given a list of questions they should ask themselves: 1)What stands out the most when I first see the work? Why? 2) As I keep looking, what else seems important? 3) In what aspect or area is the work the most successful? Why? 4) How has contrast and value been used? 5) What leads my eye from place to place? 6) What could the artist do to improve the work overall? Specifically?

An example of a comment I heard today:"The hair stands out to me because it has a range of shades in it- there are really dark parts and really light parts, and a lot of in betweens..."