CRITIQUE + FEEDBACK

A focused discussion about work in progress. Look closely, say what you notice, listen, then decide what to test next.

01 / BEFORE

Bring work in progress and identify what you want feedback on.

Ask:

  • What are you trying to explore or communicate?
  • What decisions have you already made?
  • What part of the work are you unsure about?
  • What would you like feedback on?

Prepare 1–2 questions

02 / LOOK

Look before judging.

Ask:

  • What do you notice first? Where does your eye go?
  • What can you actually see? Look at the marks, materials, surface, repetition and space.
  • How is visual language being used?
  • What meanings or messages might be communicated?

03 / TALK

NOTICE EVIDENCE QUESTION POSSIBILITY

NOTICE
Describe what you can see, hear or experience.
EVIDENCE
Point to the part of the artwork that supports what you are saying.
QUESTION
Ask about a decision, intention or next step.
POSSIBILITY
Suggest something the artist could test.

Example

NOTICE
The repeated marks make this area feel dense.
EVIDENCE
They become smaller and closer together toward the centre.
QUESTION
Do you want that area to become the main focus?
POSSIBILITY
You could test what happens if the spacing changes elsewhere.

SENTENCE STARTERS

Notice

  • I notice…
  • My attention goes to…
  • I keep looking at…

Evidence

  • I can see this in…
  • The part that shows this is…
  • This is strongest where…

Interpret

  • This could suggest…
  • I think this communicates…
  • The material, colour or scale changes the way I read it because…

Question

  • What made you decide to…?
  • What are you trying to communicate here?
  • What would happen if…?

Possibility

  • You could test…
  • It may be worth trying…
  • Another way to explore this could be…

Respond to feedback

  • The feedback I want to test is…
  • I want to keep…
  • I am reconsidering…
  • My next step is…

04 / LISTEN

When receiving feedback:

  • listen before responding
  • write down useful observations
  • notice where feedback agrees or conflicts
  • ask follow up questions
  • decide which feedback is relevant to your intention

Use the feedback that helps the work. You do not need to act on every suggestion.

05 / AFTER

Ask:

  • What feedback changed how you see the work?
  • What will you test next?
  • What will you change, and what will you keep?
  • What is your next step?

Document in Visual Diary →

WORDS FOR CRITIQUE

  • observe
  • describe
  • analyse
  • interpret
  • compare
  • evaluate
  • question
  • justify
  • refine
  • reflect

The words for this block →

Language support →

Source + Studio

Source note

Developed from VCE Art Creative Practice curriculum guidance, studio teaching practice and resources on critique and feedback. The instructional structure and student prompts on this page are original Learning by Design material.

Curriculum + reading

Greenwood, D. (2023). Art creative practice: VCE units 1–4. Cambridge University Press & Assessment.

Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. (2022). VCE Art Creative Practice study design 2023–2027. vcaa.vic.edu.au ↗

Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. (2026). VCE Art creative practice: Administrative information for school-based assessment 2026.

Studio material

CRITIQUE + FEEDBACK / LOOK.

CRITIQUE + FEEDBACK / TALK + LISTEN.

CRITIQUE + FEEDBACK / ACT ON FEEDBACK.

Visual material: Studio work, 2026.