Learn more about the Describe, Analyze, Interpret, Judge/Evaluate (DAIJ) Process of Art Criticism in the activity below. Please be sure to read through each tab.

Describe
Analyze
Interpret
Judge

Step One: Describe what you see

This is the objective portion of the art critique. It involves a technical description-nothing more. It should include things like:

Artist's name
Title of work
Type of artwork
Subject of the painting (scene)
Objects in the painting
First impression - note the characteristics of the artwork that first jump out at you
The Elements of Art: color, line shape, value, texture, space, and form
The Principles of Design: unity, variety, balance, emphasis, rhythm, contrast and movement

Step Two: Analyze the artwork

Evolve the art criticism from a technical description to an in-depth examination of how the technical elements were utilized by the artist to create the overall impression conveyed by the artwork. Technical elements you need to analyze when you critique artwork include:

How each element contributes to the mood, meaning and aesthetic sensation of the artwork
How has the artist used colors in the work?
What sort of effect do the colors have on the artwork?
How as the artist used shapes within the work of art
How have lines been used in the work? Has the artist used them as an important or dominant part of the work, or do they play a different role?
What role does texture play in the work? Has the artist used the illustration of texture or has the artist used actual texture? How has texture been used within the work?
How has the artist used light in the work(s)? Is there the illusion of a scene with lights and shadows, or does the artist use light and dark values in a more abstracted way?
How has the overall visual effect or mood of the work been achieved by the use of Elements of Art and Principles of Design?

Step Three: Interpret the artwork

This part of an art critique is more subjective than the others, as you are expected to use your analysis of the technical aspects of the piece of art to apply your own supposition to the artist's intended purpose for the artwork. Try to accomplish the following things when formulating your interpretation:

Communicate the artist's statement. Describe what you think the artist is trying to say through the work of art.

Expound on the feeling conveyed by the artwork. Describe what the artwork means to you, and why.
Explain what you feel is the artist's intended purpose for creating that particular work of art. Examine why the artist made the choices in technique, materials and subject matter and how they relate to the intended purpose.

Questions to Ask

What was the artist's statement in this work?
What do you think it means?
What does it mean to you?
How does this relate to you and your life?
What feelings do you have when looking at this artwork?
Do you think there are things in the artwork that represent other things-symbols?
Why do you think that the artist chose to work in this manner and made these kinds of artistic decisions?
Why did the artist create this artwork?

Step Four: Evaluate the artwork

This is a summation of the art criticism process leading up to this point. Use your analysis and interpretation to draw conclusions and reach judgments about the artwork.

State what you think the artwork's value is. For example, its value may be to evoke nostalgia, to incite anger or to impart beauty. Explain why you feel this way.
Describe the artwork's relevance to the art community and to people as a whole.
Explain where you feel the artwork has strong value and where you think it falls short.

Questions to Ask

Why do you think that this work has intrinsic value or worth? What is the value that you find in the work(s)?
- For example, it is a beautiful work of art, conveys an important social message, affects the way that I see the world, makes insightful connections, reaffirms a religious belief, etc.
Do you think that the work(s) has a benefit for others? Do you find that the work communicates an idea, feeling or principle that would have value for others?
What kind of an effect do you think the work could have for others?
Does the work lack value or worth? Why do you think this is so? Could the reason you find the work lacking come from a poor use of the elements of art? Could the subject matter by unappealing, unimaginative, or repulsive?

[CC BY-NC-SA 4.0] UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED | IMAGES: LICENSED AND USED ACCORDING TO TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION - INTENDED ONLY FOR USE WITHIN LESSON.