Questions to Ask About Art: Engaging with Your Child’s Artwork

Initial Interaction

When your child (or student) comes to you with a picture she has just drawn, it’s a great moment to consider questions to ask about art.

You look at it and say something like, “Wow, that’s beautiful.” Then, you put it on the fridge.

And that is pretty much it.

While there is nothing wrong with this scenario, if you want your child to think critically and creatively about her art, you could use this opportunity to ask some insightful questions.

Questions to Ask About Art to Encourage Discussion

What can you tell me about your picture?

This open-ended question is a great way to get kids talking about their art. It is especially good if you cannot tell what the picture is. Nothing is worse than saying, “What a lovely horse,” only to have the child tell you it is supposed to be a dog.

How did you get the idea for this picture?

By explaining the inspiration, the child recognizes his own creative spark and makes the connection from real-life events to artistic creation.

What materials did you use, and why did you choose them?

This question encourages your child to think about their artistic process and the tools they used. It helps them understand the importance of different materials and techniques.

Encouraging Self-Reflection with Questions About Art

What do you like about your picture?

This question encourages the child to look carefully at his art and make a judgment. More importantly, this question teaches your child to value his own internal validation rather than performing in hopes of gaining the approval of others.

What title would you give this work?

Titles can offer a new dimension to a piece of art. Also, a title encourages your child to think about the main idea or concept of her work.

Exploring Artistic Choices

Why did you… use brown for the sky? Make the girl so much larger than the boy? Use only the bottom of the paper?

Basically, ask why the child decided to draw or color a specific element of the work in a particular way. Make sure your tone is neutral – you are asking for clarity, not judging or criticizing the work.

How did you decide on the colors you used?

Discussing color choices can help children understand the emotional and psychological effects of colors, fostering a deeper connection to their artwork.

What part of this picture was the hardest to make, and why?

This question prompts your child to reflect on the challenges they faced during the creation process and how they overcame them.

What Questions to Ask About Art will Help With Connecting Emotions and Art

How were you feeling when you made this picture?

You are asking them to connect emotions with creative expression.

How do you hope other people will feel when they look at your picture?

This allows the child to put himself in another’s position and imagine how his work affects that person. You could also make this question more specific by naming a particular person: How do you think grandma will feel when she looks at your picture?

Encouraging Artistic Growth

If you could make this picture again, what would you do differently?

Professional artists often make many versions of the same picture, trying new things, tweaking, and experimenting. Encourage your young artist to do the same.

Can you create a story based on your picture?

Encourage your child to develop a narrative around their artwork. This not only enhances their creative thinking but also helps them connect their visual art to verbal storytelling.

Would you like to make a series of pictures on this theme?

Encouraging your child to create a series of related artworks can help them explore a concept more thoroughly and develop their skills over multiple pieces.

How does this picture compare to other drawings you have made?

This question helps your child reflect on their artistic growth and recognize improvements or changes in their style and technique.

Can you imagine your picture in a different medium, like clay or digital art?

Encouraging your child to think about their artwork in different forms can broaden their creative horizons and inspire them to try new artistic methods.

Wrapping Up

Engaging with your child about their artwork can turn a simple “nice job” into a rich, educational conversation. By asking thoughtful questions to ask about art, you encourage critical thinking, creativity, and self-reflection. Plus, it shows your child that you value their effort and creativity, which is priceless encouragement for any young artist.