A Sensible Beginners Guide to Critiques.

A Sensible Beginners Guide to Giving and Receiving Critiques for Novices, Hobbyists,Pros, and Nitpickers.

Part 1.

Introduction

So why am I taking the time to write something that can either make me look like a pretentious judgmental elitest art jerk? Well because its the sign of the times. A lot of people due to digital programs,Youtube, and online tutorials have gotten into the art game.Whether its for just telling your comic book stories for fun, just drawing just to draw, or doing art as a mean to pay your bills or make money on the side. Not one person or artist for that matter can hide from public opinion.Nor should you try to.

Whether people say it to your face or talk about it on the internet.If your work is out in public offline or online you will face some form of public opinion whether good or bad.And no one is going to ask your permission or wait for your approval to say what they think or feel.That's life get over it. Will it at times hurt your feelings? Yes.Will it piss you off? Oh Hell Yes!? Will it bruise your ego? Definitely! Should it make you get so defensive of your work that you won't listen to what people who have been in your shoes has to say and verbally attack them or punch them in the face? No. That just makes them right and you overcompensating for the fact you got butt hurt over someones blunt yet truthful honesty.

We are all human. I get butt hurt over being constantly called on my flaws and inconsistencies in my work. But I fix what needs to be fixed and learn from what people are telling me. Even if they constantly beat it into my head. Even the pros catch hell.But even they realize that at the end of the day while their work is not perfect they are making a living in the art game with good to great success. And the majority of us are not. Is that fair?No.But life isn't fair so get over it. Even still standards do exist in the art world and our own ignorance and ego's should not stop us from getting better to meet our own personal goals or if you choose to meet those standards.

Before I get to the point of this guide here is a disclaimer..

I, the author of this guide am not a master illustrator .Nor do I got the re known or street cred to even be considered a player in the art game. But I am player in it and I play to win.Because winners make money and get paid. I'm a illustrator/pin up artist that's like drawing sexy women.So what gives me the right to think of even writing about such a touchy subject? Well..because this is America dammit! I can write about whatever the hell I want! Seriously though its because I had formal art training.I attended the Academy of Art college. I had great instructors who had to break me in order to make me a better artist as well as a person. I have good family, friends, and mentors who keep me on my toes and know when to call me on my bullshit and give me great constructive feedback. I have fans and supporters of my work that recognize that I am doing my best not only for me but for them as well.

And like many of you I have had people tell me my art sucks,nitpick and dissect my hard work as a joke,or just troll it to hurt me feelings or get a negative reaction. I've had bad critiques.I still get a fair share of hate when I go to cons.Just recently at a con I had any people cover their eyes or their children's eyes when passing by my table. I've had feminists and social justice warriors condemning what I love drawing and saying its sexist and misogynist towards women. I've had people who I felt were friends or acquaintances come by my table and not even show support for my work and instead buy art from the guy at the table next to mine. So I have experienced a far share of hate and unwanted criticism. Some of it I can control and some of it I cannot. But this is all a part of the art game.Whether you take it seriously or as a hobby.

A lot of what is being written is from my own personal experience of getting critiqued and receiving them.Feel free to agree or disagree. This guide is meant to be discussed.It isn't a final say on the subject.Its an introduction critiquing guide to new artists. A refresher for intermediate artists. And a reminder for those trying to get into the pro side of the art game.Where how you receive and take critiques really determines your success in terms of doing art for a living.

Critiques,Constructive Criticism, and Nitpicking.

As people we(especially the more outspoken ones) openly say or have an opinion on what we like or dislike.How you voice your opinion ,the way you say it, the point of you saying what you have to say, combined with the person your voicing your opinion to "thick skin" level,can can turn what you feel as a form of helpful constructive criticism into an argument or fight. With both sides not getting their points across. Its the price we pay for our freedom of speech in this country.And art is a form of freedom of speech.Its called freedom of expression.Your free to create and express yourself however you want.But your not free from people saying what they think or feel about you or your art work, and how you express yourself. Because they have the same rights as you do.

With that being said...I'm sure some of you are like well Mr Smarty pants how do you give a proper critique?
I'm glad you asked. You have to recognize these key factors before flapping your gums or blowing your art knowledge load on some naive yet highly defensive and volatile art noob that is big enough to knock your ass out.

* Recognize the skill of the artist relative to their age,talent,and knowledge and give a constructive opinion based on those observations. That's it pretty much. It gets more complex the higher you go up in the art game.

To do this you have to have an eye for art. Along with the experience,knowledge, and training in various forms and techniques to properly convey to the artist your critiquing what they are doing right and wrong with their work.

Well what if the person giving the critique is not as good or well known as the artist they are critiquing?

I will go in depth when I discuss how to receive critiques.But I will say this, a good critique is given because the person respects your work and wants you to get better.Because they realize you can be better.If they
didn't see some degree of talent,effort,or skill in your work they would have said it just sucks or not bothered giving a critique or constructive criticism at all.You don't have to be an artist to recognize flaws in an illustrative piece or drawing.

What?Why is that?! I don't buy that crap!

You should because it comes down to the most hated term in the art game the last 5 yrs.The term is called standards.No matter how creative or original your style of art is or your drawing process may be many have mastered it and done it better.They have set the bar and the standards because they have become successful doing it. If the majority of the average non artistic individual as well as those in the art world recognizes it as being great. Then the standard for that particular art style or art has been set and thats how it is.Whether you agree or not.Your job as the artist is to change peoples perception of what great art is or get some form of emotional response. Its up to you whether you want to meet or surpass those standards.

What if the person giving the critique don't know what they are talking about?

You as the person who is receiving the critique would know that from the get go.Your free to defend your work as you see fit.But if the person gave a right on the money critique there is no true defense or valid excuses.Unless you got butt hurt and just popped off because some one noticed flaws in your work.So unless you can defend your work by having more art knowledge than the person giving the critique you are going to lose that debate most of the time
I will cover this in detail when I discuss how to receive critiques.

How do I give a proper critique then?There are so many different styles of art and drawing. How can I properly say what is bad or what is good?

Good question. First you need to ask yourself what is the purpose for critiquing or offering constructive criticism for this persons art work. What are you getting out of it? Do you wish to genuinely help this person get better? Are you nitpicking the persons work out of envy or spite? Are you just trying to come off as Art snob and let others artists know of your vast art skills and superiority?Is the persons work so flawed that your OCD art tendencies kick into overdrive and you feel the need to tell the person how flawed their work is as nicely as you can. Or are you critiquing a persons work based on a political or social agenda? Basically if your giving a critique for any other reasons other than trying to genuinely help someone your are not giving a proper critique.

Next do you have the knowledge,skills, and experience to back up your critique when the artist you critiqued responds to your critique. This is where things can either be civil or volatile. But you as the critique has got to master the art of quickly disengaging from the person that got pissed off. I know its hard. Just recently I got into it with some artist in an art group here on face book. Its a long story but I should have disengaged instead of getting caught up in that persons ignorance. So that was my fault.

Don't be afraid to say what you feel needs to be said.Especially if you respect and like the artist that you are critiquing. As an artist I would much rather have my stuff put constantly on blast by people than not have my work commented on at all.Through disagreements,arguments, fights, and conflict in general comes understanding.If your critiquing or defending your work from critique just make sure you back up your point with facts and not trolling,personally attacking one another and using bullshit excuses.We display or work to get it recognized. Having your work recognized is not always going to be showered with praise or compliments.