The Four Steps of Art Criticism

Edmund Burke Feldman

Art criticism is talking about art. Art criticism is an exercise that involves responding to a work of art
through careful observation and analysis. Art criticism involves describing, analyzing, interpreting
meaning, and making critical judgments about a specific work of art. This method involves a sequential
following of four steps or activities: description, analysis, interpretation, and judgment. Following each
of these steps will provide you with a deeper understanding of the art work and facilitate a greater
degree of visual literacy.

Step One: Description

Begin by simply looking at the work. Make a thorough inventory of all the things you see. These are
objective, factual statements.
Consider the following questions when describing the artwork:
Begin with describing the subject. What are you looking at? Painting, sculpture, mask, installation, etc.?
Is it two- or three-dimensional?
Where is the work located? Is it part of an exhibition?
Who is the artist? When was it created? What is the title? What are the dimensions?
What is the medium? Note the technical properties; describe the manner in which paint was applied
(thick, transparent washes, opaque layers).
Does it have a vertical, horizontal, or round format?
Do shapes or forms occupy the foreground, middle ground, and background? Where are the shapes or
forms located in relation to the overall composition?
Does the work show deep space?
Where is the light source? From what direction is it coming? Does it fall evenly throughout the work?
Is a natural scale used? Is the scale exaggerated?

Step Two: Analysis

Analyzing also involves description but it is quite different as well. When you analyze, you are trying to
see HOW the elements and principles of design are used to create the composition. You are describing
formal characteristics.
Look carefully at HOW the artist has used the Visual Elements: line, shape, space, color, value,
texture, and time and motion.
Look carefully at HOW the artist has used the Principles of Design: balance, variety, emphasis,
contrast, repetition, proportion, and unity.
Consider the following questions when analyzing the artwork:
Has the artist used a mixture of thick and thin lines to add variety? Do the lines play an important role in
the composition? Are there certain lines that that are emphasized? Are their implied lines?

Analyze the types of shapes or forms: Are they organic, biomorphic, geometric, irregular? Do certain
shapes or forms dominate the composition? Do they help create a focal point? Is there repetition of
forms?
How has the artist varied color? Why do you think the artist used particular colors? What are the
relationships between the colors are the colors classified as primary, secondary, tertiary,
monochromatic, cool, warm, dull, luminous, etc.? Do certain colors dominate? Is color used to
emphasize a certain area?
What about value? Are there dark and light contrasts? Where are they located? Do they emphasize a
certain area?
Is there actual texture? Is the texture simulated? Does the texture provide visual interest?
What about space? Does the composition have a large area of empty space, or is there a limited
amount of open space? What type of perspective is used? Is there a high or low vantage point? Is
perspective used to create a sense of space receding? Does the artist purposely distort natural
perspective?
Are the proportions realistic; are they exaggerated? Are they used to create emphasis or contrast?
How do the elements lead your eyes through the composition?
How do repetition and pattern contribute to the artwork? Has the artist created a sense of visual
movement?
How do positive and negative spaces relate?
Is there an intended focal point?
How has the artist achieved a sense of unity? Are the objects arranged in such a way to achieve visual
balance? What type of balance? Symmetrical? Asymmetrical? Radial?

Step Three: Interpretation

We respond to the artwork by trying to understand what the artist is trying to say. What is happening in
the work? What is the message? What is the purpose?
Try to understand the meaning of the work based on what you have observed so far.
Think about how the work evokes a particular feeling or mood - how did the use of the elements and
principles specifically result in creating a particular feeling or mood - how is the mood connected to
the meaning or symbolism?
In what way did the elements and principles help to explain the meaning of the work?
Is there an intended message or symbolic meaning? Is the work an allegory?
What is the artist trying to say or accomplish in the work?
When forming your interpretation, be sure to look to the following aesthetic theories. These will be
cited later in Step Four but are also related to your interpretation and cited in Step Three.
** Formal
Is the artist focusing on formal values such as the process and making of the composition?
Is the artist primarily concerned with formal aspects of arranging lines, shapes and colors?

** Expressive
Is the artist expressing a personal meaning or memory; does the work express an event, experience, or
something else important to the artist?
Is the artist primarily interested in expressing a strong emotion?
** Instrumental
What about instrumental is the work intended to be an instrument for instruction, propaganda, to
teach a lesson?
** Contextual
Lastly, does the work reveal contextual influences, such as politics, cultural values, or other events going
on at that time?
Does the work effectively communicate a political statement relevant to its historical period?
Does the work speak to a particular controversy of its day?
Does the work give us insight into the traditions or values of its day?

Is the artist putting across an opinion about a historical event, political view, or religious belief?
Which of these four theories are central to your interpretation?
Try to go beyond the literal depiction! Form a hypothesis about the symbolic or metaphorical meaning
of the artwork.
For example, does the landscape personify or symbolize certain feelings of the artist? Is the artist
revealing something personal about him or herself by how the work is painted? Is the artist making
social or political commentary? Is the artist focusing on how the work is constructed and concerned
with compositional issues? Why?
****Be sure to note how your observations in Steps 1 and 2 justify your interpretation!
Propose ideas for possible meaning based on the evidence your interpretation may be based on your
opinion, but your opinion must be justified by your prior observations.
You also must cite one or more of the aesthetic theories!
Look to the following questions when interpreting the artwork:
Is the environment frightening, inviting, or depressing?
Does color have a symbolic, realistic, or decorative effect?
Are there things in the piece that represent other things; are symbols used? Why does the light focus on
certain areas?
If the lines and shapes are mostly horizontal, does this make us feel peaceful and quiet? Is this
connected to the meaning or message?
If the lines are mostly diagonal, what feeling does this give? Why did the artist purposely use these
types of lines?
What in the artists personal life may have influenced the artwork?
What events at the time the artwork was created may have had an impact on the artists choices?
Why do you think the artist chose to work in this manner?

Step Four: Judgment

After careful observation, analysis, and interpretation of the piece, you are ready to make a personal
judgment. Discuss the overall strengths, success, and merit of the work. Your friends may not always
agree with your judgments and choices that is OK.
Note: be sure to directly cite one or more of the four theories as the foundation for your judgment.
Your judgment should directly tie in with your previous interpretation and comments from Steps 1 and
2.
Note: be sure to compare the work to another work by the same artist or by another artist. How are
the works similar, different, etc.
Consider the following questions when judging the artwork:
Is the work successful? Explain how.
Does the work have value or worth? Explain why.
How does this work compare to comparable works? What are the similarities and differences?
Do you think the work has a benefit for others? In what way?
Do you think the artist will be remembered and highly regarded a century from now? Why or why not?

Elements of Design

Principles of Design

Line
Shape
Space
Color
Value
Texture
Time and Motion

Balance (symmetry, asymmetry, radial)

Variety
Emphasis
Contrast
Repetition / Rhythm
Proportion / Scale
Unity