On the Cape 12" x 16" Available I loved the Artists Helping Artists show this week. It's all about how you can evaluate your own artwork. I think it's a really great show as we all need to have a way to evaluate our work.
On the show we talked about a check list that was written by Greg Manchess on his blog. It's an excellent list that you can use to evaluate your work. And here it is. Some of the ways you can evaluate your work include: Line - Are there elements that help move your eye through the painting? The last thing you want is for the viewers eye to be lead right off of the canvas. - Do the lines of the composition move you from the main design elements to the minor elements? - Do those lines add a sense of rhythm or a lyrical quality? - Does the painting have a dimensional quality? - Is there a foreground, middle ground, and background? - Does the perspective work? Do the lines of perspective all fade to one horizon line? Area, Space - Is there a coherent quality throughout the painting? Harmony makes for consistency. - Have you painted anything that isn’t really necessary for the success of the painting? If it’s too busy, the main point of the painting could be lost. - Ask yourself if you can add, or subtract, anything from the painting. Value - Does the value range from light to dark? - Have you determined the “key” of the painting, and stayed consistent with it? - Are the darks dark enough? Often this can improve a weak painting. Light - Light can be the most challenging and interesting part of a painting. Have you used it effectively? - Does the light source make sense? Have you correctly and consistency placed the shadows? - With the use of different colors, you have the opportunity to ask your self the classic questions: lighter or darker, warmer or cooler? Form and Shape • Have you used different and unique shapes in your painting? • Can you add interest with shapes, edges, subjects...? • Can you use contrast (light, color, texture) to add interest or direction of design. Cropping - Consider cropping some objects for interest. Use the positive and negative spaces to create interest. Think about how the scale of the objects can change your perception. Color - Have you varied the colors? - Be sure you have effectively used neutrals (grays) to contract with pure and bright colors. - Remember that the contrast of dull neutrals will brighten the colors placed beside it. Your Point of View - Does the painting represent your point of view as the artist? - Does it look consistent with your work? Ot doesn’t have to “match” but within the other paintings in it’s style, does this one “fit”? -Do you need to adjust anything? Values, colors, pops of color? How can you make it sing? Focus - Ask yourself where your eye is drawn to in the painting? - Is the overall composition pleasing or confusing to the viewer? Texture - Is the piece too flat or too busy? - Is there a contrast between flat and smooth textures? Above all else, is the painting as good as it can be? You began with an idea, an inspiration, a desire to create something where there was only a white canvas. Sometimes the best thing you can do is turn the painting away for a while, be it hours or days, you will return to it with fresh eyes and a better objective point of view.
4 Comments
4/8/2016 03:57:11 am
This is one of the best self-evaluation questionnaires I've seen. It seems to cover all areas of what makes a great painting. It also fits any style or medium. Thanks so much for your insightful post, Leslie.
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4/8/2016 12:26:11 pm
I agree with Penny. I'll be printing this one out and hanging it in my studio to use often. Thanks.
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Kenneth Greenwood
5/17/2017 03:01:09 am
This is a list every artist can use. I usually deal in graphite, charcoal or color pencils. I was wondering if the is a site that would give me an opportunity to have someone else evaluate my art?
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Leslie
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