Critiques are an important part of learning. It is hard to get an unbiased critique from a friend. It is more helpful if only your work is judged outside your circle of friends.

No one benefits from a critique that refers to categories and has oblique references to other painters. The artist should be given a chance to ask questions about his or her body of work, if they are paying someone to take a great deal of time to prepare a critique. With this in mind, APOW will offer written critiques of four of your slides for $35.00. Each slide is thrown on a screen and carefully scrutinized and critiqued by a professional artist who has been doing it for years. It will emphasize your strengths and offer help with the weak parts.

The judge will be looking for the following:
a. appropriate color, range of colors used
b. appropriate textures and applications of pastel
c. consistent techniques and strengths
d. values---varied, dark and or light enough for lights and shadows
e. placement and drawing, and the layout of the general composition
f. edges--soft, hard, lost and found
g. abstract patterns in compositions, and of course in abstract pastel work
h. originality of the work / subject matter/ approach

A written critique will be mailed to you; a summary of what your good points are, and possibly the direction that you should be going. To get the most out of any critique, it is necessary for you to send work in one category. Use Portrait and Figure, Landscape, Still Life, Abstraction or Working with a Theme. Choose one.

Please label all slides with name, title, dimensions and send a # 10 SASE with double postage, and a check for $35.00, made payable to Madlyn-Ann C. Woolwich. When you receive your critique, you may use the critiquer's email (no letters please) for any further correspondence.

Please send to President /Director:
Madlyn-Ann C. Woolwich, PSA Master Pastelist, KA, ISMP, PSWC, APOW, PSNF-D, APS
473 Marvin Drive
Long Branch, New Jersey 07740-5003