Critical Writing
Sources of information |
Newspapers: Library and online
You need a lot more general Art knowledge and awareness especially in prep for your unit 4 next year but really useful now too as seeing contemporary work will make you think differently about your work. Hopefully you'll want to take some risks once you see the possibilities. There are lots of articles about contemporary artwork on twitter.
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The Internet
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Read around your subject. |
The Internet
Is great as we all know, but it's best for researching subjects or in the case of artists, specific artists. It's not great for browsing. Use books and mags for that. The Internet is also really good for visiting Galleries worldwide. Some artists have their own websites. |
Read around your subject. This means that your knowledge is ‘in context' then you can make references to other artists who have worked at the same time or done similar work.
Don't draw attention to what you don't know by making rash statements of factual errors! Write about factual things you have evidence to support or maker it clear you're expressing an opinion. Limit biographical info, to relevant issues only. Generally brief info is all you need to state. Don't use it as filler. The moderator will be looking for the meaty stuff, the actual analysis and links (how you've used it, why and how it informed your work). |
Be succinct even in analysis. Don't dress it up. Choose your words carefully, use specialist language where possible. Make real comments and observations. Padders and page fillers are glaringly obvious to the trained eye.
*Issues to refer to when analysing work
The Key Elements Known as such because every piece of Art has all or some of them. Referring to the Key Elements is the best way of showing your understanding of the work. You are likely to refer some rather than all of these for any given piece of work. Line, Tone, Texture, Colour, Shape, Form, Pattern |
Common Mistakes
After marking many contextual studies I noted the following common mistakes that pupils made. Take time to read the following obvious errors, taking care not to include them in your written work. This will inevitably save you time, as you will not have to re write work. |
Referencing
Make sure you put all quotes in 'quotation marks'. Remember to reference the name of the person who the quote is from, the page number (if applicable) of where you sourced the quote, and the name, date and publisher of the book/source. 'Life is like a box of chocolates' -Tom Hanks. Film- Forest Gump, Chapter 8.1994. Paramount Pictures. |
If you use written information and re write in your own words you need to make a note of the place you sourced it from at the bottom of the page.Do not put quotation marks around the text on this occasion as the information has been altered by you.
Keep a list of all the sources you have used, with all the information you will need, as at the end of the unit you will need to reference them at the back of the study in your bibliography. If you do not keep a list you will forget which books you looked at and you will have to go and get them out again to get the information. Keep an up to date list for a lot less hassle!
Bibliography:
Author- J Simms. Name of book- Carry on Artist. Date published 1976. Publisher. HaHa inc
Keep a list of all the sources you have used, with all the information you will need, as at the end of the unit you will need to reference them at the back of the study in your bibliography. If you do not keep a list you will forget which books you looked at and you will have to go and get them out again to get the information. Keep an up to date list for a lot less hassle!
Bibliography:
Author- J Simms. Name of book- Carry on Artist. Date published 1976. Publisher. HaHa inc
'Naming Artists-
Never use the first name of an artist, even if it is your friend! E.g.; when looking at the Artist 'Jim Dine', refer to him initially as Jim Dine, and later as Dine. Do not refer to him as Jim. |
Guess work
Often when reading a critical study we are presented with the following kinds of sentences. The list underneath is in no way exhaustive: I Think the Artist is trying to show........ I Imagine this piece is about........ It looks like the Artist is. ....... I would say that............. |
Guess work cont..
This only proves that you haven't read up on the Artist and the concepts behind their work, for why else would you be guessing? A better way of putting your own views could be:
After researching the concepts behind the Artists Work, the evidence would suggest... After researching the ideas behind the Artists Work, it has lead me to conclude....
After reading up on the Artist 'John Cage', the work is......... The concepts behind this piece are....
The Artist aims to depict...... ETC
This only proves that you haven't read up on the Artist and the concepts behind their work, for why else would you be guessing? A better way of putting your own views could be:
After researching the concepts behind the Artists Work, the evidence would suggest... After researching the ideas behind the Artists Work, it has lead me to conclude....
After reading up on the Artist 'John Cage', the work is......... The concepts behind this piece are....
The Artist aims to depict...... ETC
Researching after you have produced your own photography work
Use the work of artists to inspire the production and development of your own work and not the other way around. You should not be producing your own work and then start to frantically look through books to find an artist who tackles the same subject matter. Often we will come across the phrase; I chose to research this artist because he/she looks at bottles like me etc. At the same time you shouldn't ask your teacher to come up with ideas either, e.g.: ‘Mr Atkins, do you know of any Artists I can look at who have done images of bottles!' (N.Atkins. The right way to tackle Unit 4. 2005. Atkins Publishing)
Use the work of artists to inspire the production and development of your own work and not the other way around. You should not be producing your own work and then start to frantically look through books to find an artist who tackles the same subject matter. Often we will come across the phrase; I chose to research this artist because he/she looks at bottles like me etc. At the same time you shouldn't ask your teacher to come up with ideas either, e.g.: ‘Mr Atkins, do you know of any Artists I can look at who have done images of bottles!' (N.Atkins. The right way to tackle Unit 4. 2005. Atkins Publishing)
Find out about artists, and then take aspects of the images to inspire the creation or your own artwork.
E.G. The way the Artist uses light in his/her work may influence the development of my own work in the following ways........... * Tenses- Most of your study will be in present tense, which may reflect at times on what you have done, or what you plan to do. Be aware of the tense you are writing in at all times. If you are not sure if your work changes tenses inappropriately, you must make regular appointments with the Art Staff who will help you with the final draft. |
*Grammar/SpelIing- This is an English Board Paper, therefore the Examiners will expect the study to be written using English Grammatical Structure, as well as using English spelling rules. The computers at school are mainly set to American Grammar/Spelling, so check things carefully. Common spelling errors to look out for are- Color instead of Colour, Realize instead of Realise and Organize instead of Organise. If you are writing by hand check you're spelling thoroughly. If you know you are poor at Spelling, or Grammar, I would suggest you type up work first, check it, and then copy the print out by hand
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Common Mistakes |
* Vocabulary- A big give away: You are marked on the use of specialist vocabulary. Remember, even if you've researched Artists/ Art Movements and your findings are written down using basic vocabulary, you will loose
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Other words you should avoid when critiquing Artwork:
Scruffy, Splodge, Dotty, Careless, Lucky, Idiot, Pointless, Easy, Simple etc
Basically all derogatory terms about the Artwork you have chosen. You must bear in mind that ALL 'High Art' has been considered in some way! If it wasn't considered then it wouldn't be Art, it would be a lucky mistake!