Is this painting/drawing a landscape, figurative, portrait or still-life? (or other?)

What is the style, i.e. photorealistic, realistic, impressionistic, etc.?

What is the subject of the painting/drawing?

Is the image oriented appropriately, i.e. if the subject is wide is the art surface horizontal; if the subject is tall is the surface vertical?

What media was used to create the drawing or painting? Pencil, charcoal, pen & ink, marker, colored pencil, pastel, acrylic, oil, watercolor, gouache, a combination of materials, etc.

What type of surface material was used? Paper, toned paper, museum board, canvas board, canvas, masonite, etc.

How does the surface impact the resulting artwork? Did it become a part of the picture through it's texture or color?

What is the composition?

Do the elements lead you into or out of the picture?

Do they create a circular flow into the center, do they form a triangle or other shape, i.e., what is the pattern of movement in and through the picture?

Is the composition in "formal" or "informal" balance?

What is the "focal point"? Is there more than one focal point?

Is there a visible foreground, middle ground and background?

Is the perspective correct throughout the composition?
(Accurate perspective is critical and foundational to a painting/drawing's underlying structure -- particularly realistic images. And if an abstract image, skill in perspective is essential to successfully deviating from reality.)

Does the design of the composition give a sense of visual tension, restfulness, energy, etc.? Can you discern why?

Describe what style of drawing. Is it a vignette, full drawing; very detailed, little detail, loose and sketchy, etc.

What is the overall visual texture and what kind of lines are used, i.e. soft, rough, smooth, energetic, subtle, bold, etc?

Does it appear to be cleanly done, i.e. free from smudges and smearing, confident strokes, etc?

Is the modeling of shapes and all 3 dimensional forms rendered correctly, i.e. highlight, middle tones, reflected light, etc.? (also see light)

If using charcoal, pencil and the like, is there a good range of values? That is, are the whitest whites and the darkest darks present along with the range of grays in-between? If the drawing in a "high-key", is there a good range of medium gray to white? If the drawing is in a "low-key", is a complete range of medium gray through black present?

If critiquing a drawing OR a painting:

Are the shapes and forms correctly depicted?

Are all objects rendered solidly so they do not appear to float in the air. That is, Is everything in the picture firmly in place and grounded visually?

Are the proportions and measurements between objects correct?

Are there any ambiguities...i.e. does everything make sense with nothing questionable as to it's position, what the objects are, etc.?

Are symmetrical objects truly symmetrical, i.e. are they the balanced equally on both sides or do they need adjusting?

If the drawing is a realistic one, do all forms appear to be 3D and convincing, or are they flat and why? If the drawing is not realistic, are the 2D forms shaped as they should be?

Overall, is the structure of the drawing well crafted or is it weak in areas? What recommendations can you make for improvement?

Where is the source of light coming from, i.e. sun, artificial light, etc.?

What direction is the light: from above, below, left, right, etc., and is this appropriate for the subject and mood you're trying to convey?

How strong is the light: is it soft and subtle, bold and dramatic, etc.?

How does the light affect the subject and mood of the painting?

What color does the light appear to be and how does this affect the color of the subject and it's surroundings?

Did you correctly render the light in all areas of the work, i.e. direction, how it touches or moves around objects, etc.? Are there ambiguities and how might these be clarified?

Are there hard as well as soft edges to define objects? Are lost edges present which contribute to a sense of depth and space in the picture?

What is the general value of the picture, i.e. high-key, low-key, or full-range of values?

What is the "temperature", i.e. cool, warm, neutral, etc.?

Does the overall value and temperature seem appropriate for the subject?

Are the colors "muddy" or clear?

How does the light effect the colors?

Are the colors bright or dull?

Were colors mixed directly on the surface or first mixed on a palette then applied? (Both ways are fine, remember, we're purely observing at this time.)

Was color or line used to define edges around objects?

Are the forms rendered correctly, i.e. is the structure of the 3d forms, i.e. highlights, local color, reflected light, etc., present and in their proper position?

Check to see that any reflected lights are not lighter than they should be, i.e. not lighter than that which is being reflected.

If there are any reflections and shadows on water or glass are these rendered correctly?

Compare the treatment of this subject to similar subjects in other artist's work. Does it capture the subject in a creative, new, or unique way, or does it lack life, energy or appear "flat"?

While you were working on this piece did it seem labored or did you execute it with ease and confidence?

Did you have to concentrate hard while working on some things but with ease on others? Identify examples of each.

When you planned and executed your painting/drawing did you copy from something you saw, treat something you saw in a new way, or work totally "from your head." (Note: There is no inherent virtue to creating from your imagination than from something that exists in real life. What matters is what you do with the subject...did you give it an new twist, or experiment in some way, etc.?)

Did you find yourself experimenting at all -- if yes, what did you discover? What were some of the successes, things that were the less successful?

Did you think about how you'd treat the subject or execution differently next time?

How did you respond when you first saw this painting/drawing?

How do you respond to it after having gone through this checklist?...Do you have a better appreciation for the piece -- see it as stronger, weaker, etc., than when it was first created?

Overall, is the technique, colors used, and treatment appropriate and effective for the subject painted?

Are there areas of the picture that came easy to you and other areas very difficult? Identify these.

Has this picture improved since your last attempt?

What specific things will you do to correct problems identified in this painting/drawing?

What specific things were done well and are worth repeating in future work?

What specific things have you learned through critiquing this art work, whether it is yours or someone else's?