14 Meredith is critiquing her classmate s photo and makes notice of the use of mist

Art analysis tips

‘I like this’ or ‘I don’t like this’ without any further explanation or justification is not analysis. Personal opinions must be supported with explanation, evidence or justification.

‘Analysis of artwork’ does not mean ‘description of artwork’. To gain high marks, students must move beyond stating the obvious and add perceptive, personal insight. Students should demonstrate higher order thinking – the ability to analyse, evaluate and synthesize information and ideas. For example, if color has been used to create strong contrasts in certain areas of an artwork, students might follow this observation with a thoughtful assumption about why this is the case – perhaps a deliberate attempt by the artist to draw attention to a focal point, helping to convey thematic ideas.

Explanation: