Your Name: ______________________

Artists Name: ____________________

Title: _______________________________

Peer Critique
Participating in an art critique is a great way to give and get positive feedback from others: in this case your
peers. Make sure to be open and honest in a way that is constructive. Always think about how you are commenting
before you do so in order to not hurt the artists feelings. No one wants to hear negative or misconstrued comments
about their work no matter how attached they are to it. However, as the artist you must always try to take criticism well
and let it help you to be a better artist and/or person as a whole.

DIRECTIONS: Use the following questions to help you critique a work of art or design. Using your notes, type a
paragraph critique, print, attach to the top of this sheet, and turn in. See the rubric on the next page to see how your
critique will be assessed.

CRITIQUE STEP 1 = DESCRIBE. Look at the artwork. Describe what you see like a good

reporter or detective. USE OBJECTIVE, FACTUAL WORDS. The following are some questions that can
help you describe the piece;

What subjects in the artwork can you recognize?

Looking at the elements of design (Line, Shape, Color, Value, Texture, Space, Form) describe what qualities you
see? Describe the piece in full detail.
What media and techniques did the artist use?

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CRITIQUE STEP 2 = ANALYZE. Analysis means you look for relationships. To find
relationships among visual elements, look to the principles of design. The following are some questions that can help
you analyze the piece;

Emphasis. Is there a dominant element or one that you see first? Why?
Balance. Is there a special balance, or weight, among the elements? What mood does it create?
Proportion. Do the proportions look normal, Ideal or unusual? Why?
Pattern. Are elements repeated to create a pattern? Where? Why?
Rhythm or Movement. What visual rhythms or paths of movement do your eyes follow? Where? Why?
Unity and variety. What elements bring together, or unify, many parts of the design? Why? What elements add
variety? Why?

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CRITIQUE STEP 3 = INTERPRET. Use the information you have gathered to tell what the work
means to you. Use analogies and language with adjectives and adverbs. Example: The lively, angular shapes seem to
be dancing. State main themes, or hypothesis, that could explain what the artists wanted you to see and appreciate.
The following are some questions that can help you interpret the piece;

What does the work makes you think or feel when you look at it?
Does the work remind you of other things you have experienced? How does the work relate to other ideas or
events in the world and/or in your other classes?

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CRITIQUE STEP 4 = DECIDE/JUDGE/EVALUATE. Give your opinion on the work's

achievement or failure. Consider why you are judging an artwork and the criteria, or standards, you should use. The
following are some questions that can help you evaluate the piece;

What parts of the work make you feel it is a success? What do you think are the strengths of the piece?
What parts of the work could use more work? What suggestions would you give the artist to improve?
How unique is the work? Why do you feel this work is unique?

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See the following rubric to see how your work will be assessed.
Common Core EXCELLENT
Standards
Writing Written In my response I can address
the prompt by expressing ideas
Expression
precisely and concisely and
provide clear development of
ELA Standard L.7.3a each critique step by using
clear reasoning supported by
relevant art vocabulary as
National Core Visual
evidence.
Art & Design 8-7.5 POINTS (A)
Standard: Cr8.1.la
Writing In my response, I can address
the prompt by demonstrating
full command of the
Knowledge of conventions of standard English
Language and at an appropriate level of
Conventions complexity. There are no errors
in mechanics, grammar, usage,
and meaning is clear.
ELA Standard L.4.1f,
L.6.2a. 2 POINTS (A)
Critique Rubric
MEETS EXPECTATIONS
In my response I can address
the prompt by expressing
ideas somewhat precisely
and concisely while providing
somewhat clear development
of most critique steps by
using clear reasoning and/or
is supported by relevant art
vocabulary as evidence.
7-6.5 POINTS (B)
In my response, I can address
the prompt by demonstrating
full command of the
conventions of standard
English at an appropriate
level of complexity. There
may be a few minor errors in
mechanics, grammar, and
usage, but meaning is clear.
1.75 POINTS (B)
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT
In my response I may
somewhat express ideas
precisely and concisely while
addressing the prompt and
provide somewhat clear
development of two or less
critique steps by using
reasoning and/or is
supported by relevant art
vocabulary as evidence.
6-POINTS (C)
In my response, I can address
the prompt by demonstrating
some command of the
conventions of standard
English at an appropriate
level of complexity. There
may be a few minor errors in
mechanics, grammar, and
usage, but meaning is clear.
1.5 POINTS (C)
UNSATISFACTORY
In my response I may
somewhat by express ideas
precisely and concisely while
addressing the prompt and
provide somewhat clear
development of two or less
critique steps by using
reasoning and/or is supported
by relevant art vocabulary as
evidence.
5.5 -0 POINTS (D/F)
In my response, I address the
prompt by demonstrating
limited command of the
conventions of standard
English at an appropriate level
of complexity. There are
errors in mechanics, grammar,
and usage with a somewhat
clear or unclear meaning.
1 POINTS (D/F)
TOTAL _____/10