A Thoughtful Look, A Critical Eye
Critique
Self-Assessment
Understanding your own work is a crucial development for an artist. The students who grow the fastest are the ones that can take deep, honest looks at their work and use what they find to improve. This includes the ability to internalize critique from others. Because I feel this is such a cornerstone of artistic development, I make it a prominent feature of my art classes. How to critique and receive critique is built into every project in every class.
We first learn how to tell the difference between useful critique and non-actionable affirmation or criticism. We build in vocabulary to help students articulate the feedback they would like to give. Finally, we establish trusting relationships among the class members so that students are able to truly listen to the observations others make about their artwork and not feel personally attacked or criticized. This is a slow process in the beginning, but once established, leads to great discoveries and suggestions that would never be made if not given consistent opportunity to build this crucial skill. A more detailed look at how I progress through critique my art classes are found here.
I consider self-assessment to be an extension of critique. Students are expected to have a critical eye to help their classmates, but also to improve their own practice. The critique primes students to do that. Often, one becomes so transfixed/mired/absorbed in one’s own art, that it is difficult to look at it with fresh eyes. We tend to see what we think we created, not necessarily what is actually there. By listening to other’s perspectives, students can assess their work more thoroughly and more accurately. It is important, therefore, that the student does the self-assessment after the class critique.
Students then reflect on the process and outcomes of their art making. Hopefully, after some scaffolding and practice, the self-reflection becomes an invaluable tool for the artist to map progress, challenges, and goals. Examples of self-assessments students use in class can be found here.