Critiquing+an+artwork

= ** Critiquing an artwork ** =

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As a critic it is important to describe the artist’s use of colour, contrast, portrayal of movement, the depth and perspective of the work. You can then add your personal evaluation or perceived message of the artwork making sure that the language used is of a positive tone.======

Source: @http://www.genuinewriting.com/art_critique.html
= Critiquing an artwork - An example =

High Noon Shoalhaven, 1980's
Arthur Boyd’s painting “High Noon Shoalhaven” was painted during the 1980’s. The work is an oil painting of realist style, depicting intense sunlight and mirrored reflections of tall gum trees at Shoalhaven Heads on the southern coast of New South Wales.

Boyd’s portrayal of the sheer, stark crispness of the environment, it’s pristine and untouched quality is evidenced by his use of a strong, bright palette, straight lines and blended tones. The image suggests little movement. On the contrary it conveys the feeling of a hot, still, dry summer’s day. He has captured the true essence of noon. There appears to be a figure at the edge of the tree line on the right side of the image. This could be Boyd’s reference to the western movie “High Noon”.

The focal point is central in the image which helps to draw the eye from a wide to narrow perspective. There is a deliberate, triangular formation moving into and along the horizon line. The foreground leads the eye in whilst the background expands the view.

Boyd has created an image that depicts the heat of the sun on the parched and arid land whilst inviting the viewer into the cool depths of the still water that surrounds this environment. These two seemingly opposite environmental features complement one another in Boyd’s painting, to provide an honest and pleasing view of the landscape.