Basic Structure of the Appreciation Writing
Aesthetic experience
Explanation (explanation of the artist and technique, objective)
Appreciation (effect and value of the technique, difference from others)
Interpretation, criticism
Meaning to the viewer (subjective)
What to write?
Whether it is painting, music, or food, there are two basic goals;
Giving information
張義雄早年曾隨陳澄波學油畫。
後至日本各大美術學校苦讀12年，1950年代的「黑線條時期」，喜用黑粗線條描繪靜物、風景、人物，反映其心中苦悶心情與生活沈重壓力。
Persuading
從窗戶與桌面到右邊布巾垂下的空間，如梯形的構圖，在穩定中具有韻律感。
左邊的窗戶撐住左傾的桌子，讓桌腳沿著窗框向上延伸達到平衡。右下角的深綠除了呼應窗外的綠，也具有平衡重量的功能。
Exercise 1
Try to mark “information” and “persuasion” from the following critique.
惲壽平（1633－1690），江蘇武進人。初名格，字壽平，號南田。後以字行。惲壽平小時候就跟隨伯父惲向（1586－1656）學畫，惲向以元朝畫家黃公望為學習的對象，畫風沉雄。見到王翬的山水畫後，即對王翬說：「此道讓兄獨步，格恥為天下第二手。」於是專心致力於花卉畫上的研究，以沒骨花卉聞名，不鉤花葉、枝幹的輪廓線，直接用顏色或墨畫出花朵葉形，創出獨特風格。
此幅畫紫、紅、白牡丹三枝，或正或側，俯仰掩映，曲盡其態。利用賦色的濃淡、明暗表現花瓣豐富的層次變化，而花葉之翻轉向背、枝節細微部份都仔細交待，毫無鬆散之處。全圖設色明麗鮮艷，於光輝燦爛中，別有一種清澄明朗、高雅脫俗之神韻。
Exercise 2
Write a critique of the following picture.
少女The Maiden, 油畫Oil Painting, 沈欽銘Shen Chin-ming1938
Who is the writer?
When was he/she born?
What is the material of the painting?
What is the expression on the woman’s face?
Is there contrast in the image?
Where are the darkest and lightest areas?
Are the colors vivid? Are they calm?
Is the painting delicate? Are they bold?
Exercise 3
Write a original critique of your favorite work.