For this activity, you are going to determine how you would critique your artwork. You will share these criteria with your classmates later in the unit. Write your criteria in your art sketchbook or use a word processing program to type them. First, consider as many characteristics for the artwork you create as you can. Consider the subject matter, the color schemes, the materials, the intended message, and the technical skill set you have now. You may be a beginning artist who is still working on technical skills but who has a good idea of what you like to draw. All of these items should pertain to work you think is typical of you as an artist.Then, create criteria to critique your artwork. It should look similar to the items listed for Impressionism, Fauvism, Cubism, and Surrealism. Here is a chart to help you.

Steps Criteria
Describe What characteristics should be part of art that is typical of your style? Consider color usage, subject matter, and technical skill.
Analyze How will an evaluator know that it is your style rather than someone else’s style? What sets it apart?
Interpret What type of meaning or message does your art communicate?
Judge What is the criteria to determine if your art is successful? Consider details that show growth in a particular technique, obvious use of certain elements or principles, or an ability to use a certain color scheme.

Apply the criteria that you created to a piece of art that you created in an earlier lesson. You can use any piece of art you like. Determine if the criteria you created works to analyze your art. You will post your criteria for defining your artistic style through a critique to the discussion board in the Evaluate section of this lesson.

Criteria for Critiquing My Artwork:

1. Describe:
- Color Usage: I tend to gravitate towards vibrant and bold colors in my artwork. I enjoy experimenting with different color combinations to create visual interest.
- Subject Matter: I often depict nature and landscapes in my artwork. I also incorporate elements of fantasy and imagination into my pieces.
- Technical Skill: As a beginning artist, I am still developing my technical skills. I strive to improve my drawing and painting techniques to accurately represent my ideas.

2. Analyze:
- Personal Style: An evaluator will know that it is my style based on the use of vibrant colors and the incorporation of a whimsical and fantastical element in my artwork. These unique characteristics set it apart from other artists' styles.

3. Interpret:
- Meaning and Message: My art communicates a sense of joy, wonder, and escapism. I aim to create a world that captivates viewers and transports them into a realm of imagination and beauty.

4. Judge:
- Success Criteria: The criteria to determine if my art is successful include improvement in my technical skills, evident growth in my ability to depict detail and form, mastery of certain artistic elements and principles such as composition and proportion, and the ability to effectively use color schemes to evoke specific emotions or moods.

Applying the Criteria:

One piece of art I created in an earlier lesson is a painting of a vibrant sunset over a tranquil ocean.

1. Describe: The painting features bold and vivid colors such as oranges, pinks, and purples to depict the sunset. The subject matter is a natural landscape, specifically a beach scene with a serene ocean. In terms of technical skill, I focused on capturing the beauty and complexity of the sky and water.

2. Analyze: An evaluator would recognize this painting as being in my style based on the use of vibrant colors and the incorporation of nature as the subject matter. These elements set it apart from a more realistic or minimalist style.

3. Interpret: The painting aims to convey a sense of tranquility and beauty, allowing viewers to escape into the peacefulness of a sunset by the sea.

4. Judge: In terms of success criteria, I have shown improvement in my ability to blend and layer colors to create a realistic sky and water. Additionally, the composition of the painting is well-balanced, with attention to detail in the various elements of the scene. The color scheme successfully evokes a calming and serene atmosphere.