It’s important in the learning process to understand the power of having periodic assessments.
In schools, the terms used also include quizzes and tests. Most of us think of these assessments as measures of our success and worth.
This couldn’t be further from the truth.
Instead, assessments share with us how much we’ve learned and how much we understand, as well as how much we know what to use (apply) moving forward.
In the arts we don’t talk about this much and yet, assessments can be a powerful tool to help you quickly and efficiently learn new skills and develop your unique artist voice.
You can use this idea to help you see what you’ve learned from a new class you’ve taken.
You can also use this idea to help you measure your progress and learning personally.
In this video I’m talking about how we use assessments in Self-Taught to Self-Confident, which you can also apply to your own artist practice as well.
- I define pre-assessments,
- How you can observe your own growth and progress,
- Help you decide what to focus on moving forward.
- I also give a reading of an assessment that helps a student identify strengths and things to develop in her skill development,
- which will help you consider who to ask feedback from and how you can reflect on your own work.
The biggest challenge I see students face is the inability to separate learning moments from the success of an artwork.
It’s valuable to create separate assessments that you aren’t thinking of as artwork to help overcome the mindset issues that arise from this problem.
Sometimes learning the why can inform the what and how. I hope that’s how today’s video worked for you!
How can you incorporate the use of assessments into your practice? How do you already? Tell me more in the comments below.
So I started doing assessments during a challenge I participated in. I realized that I have a better understanding of negative space. It is easier for me to see the values in a photo if I turn the photo to black and white. Another problem I recently saw in my work is that while filling in the details of a drawing, I will sometimes add to much or too little details rendering my drawing as flat. I also need to work on adding texture such as hair on head, mustache, print of clothing, etc. I have to work on putting my highlights in tue correct place to show light shining in my drawing and from which direction. By taking your classes, seminars, and watching email videos, I am know able to identify problems in my drawings and paintings right away. I am able to identify things that I need to put more emphasis on to improve my artwork.
Hi Ola! Thank you so much for sharing your personal ahas. I love hearing how you can use your reflection on these assessments to improve your work. THAT’s what it’s all about!! 🙂 Thank you for being here and trusting me with your art. <3