~LightmanEclipse

:: My Critic Pledge: [link] ::

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Hello my meager followers! ... wait I don't have followers. Well, anyone who's somehow found my tiny little page!

Sorry for the lack of living on my part!

After clicking around the 'net today, I came across some amusing pages at EncyclopediaDramatica, and some of the... 'famous' deviants, many of whom can't take critique for beans. (Seriously, go look up deviantArt on there and you'll see... very amusing yet very saddening at the same time).

So, I was thinking I should write up a small journal on observations and tips about critiquing. Many of these drama-queen artists seem to consider just about all critique is an attack on them. I suppose I can't really change their mind. Understanding a critique is on a piece of art, and not about you, is a difficult thing for some people to grasp I suppose. Probably the very insecure among us in particular. But anyone who's serious about their art (even those who want to pursue it as a career. You'll face numerous critiques in art school and art classes. As well as from employers) needs to learn to deal with critique and digest it in a mature manner.

But without further adieu, let me begin.

Style vs. Skill - Often when one critique's a piece, in particular anime styled art (hate to pick on you guys but it's where I see it often!), the artist with throw a "Well that's my style!" at you in reply, as an excuse for their less than pleasing rendering of a hand or a face. An artist can't hide behind that excuse.

Yes, I respect that you want to work in a style outside of realism. And I'm not saying you need to work and create realistic drawing. But every anime and manga artist who has self respect for their art and their own abilities has STUDIED real people, their proportions, how to draw a hand, a face.

There's an old saying that you have to learn the rules before you break them. The same goes for art. Learn the realism before you start breaking it down into something more stylized, like anime or cartoony. Because to make something look good in a stylized fashion takes many years of practice.

Even Picasso learned how to make realistic art before he dove into his abstract pieces. Learning the basics about realism... anatomy, proportions, perspective, shading, light and shadow... these are like basic tools an artist should learn. It's like getting a public education in art. This is what you should know and learn. Once you have learned these things, you can begin to better individualize and stylize your work.

I find it pretty easy to spot someone who is just mimicking something they've seen done in a piece of stylized art work (meaning they can copy what they see but don't fully understand what they're copying) versus someone who has obviously studied human anatomy and has then stylized it. It looks more professional and refined.

But I say all this because sometimes it's hard to critique stylized pieces. The best you can do is point out what seems aesthetically unpleasing to the eye as best you can. Tell the artist you can tell they like to work in a stylized way... though also gently suggest they take a look at some realistic things as well.

Your Words and Artist's (Im)maturity - Some of the more thick skinned among us have no trouble soaking up any kind of critique, no matter how it's stated. But I know in particular, on this site, there are many children... anywhere between 20 something to as young as even 10... or more. I count the 20's since I've seen some very... disturbingly immature 20 (and older) year olds. If you don't mind what kind of reaction you get out of an artist, you can state your critique any way you want. But I truly want to help an artist improve. And flies are more drawn to honey than vinegar. So if you can state your critique in a manner that is gentler than simply spilling your thoughts, that helps ease the artist into your view and your ideas on their piece.

I know not all young children are at the same maturity level, but as a general rule, the younger the artist the softer one should be with their critique. Say good things as well as things that need improvement. Try to use simple words. Illustrate the problem if you can with visuals. And keep in mind probably most artists below age 15 have probably not taken too many serious art classes, and thus may not recognize certain terminology.

Tools and Technology - I once got an artist pretty sore, when I mentioned something that the artist took as an attack on their financial position and the fact they lacked industry standard software. I was lacking in how careful I was with my words, and never meant for it to come off in such a fashion. But I had made some comment about the medium. Either way, learn from my mistake that it can be a bit nasty if you step on sore toes. Not everyone has the money or opportunities to get the same tools as everyone else.

For instance, balking on someone who's using crayons or colored pencils isn't very professional. For all you know that may be the only medium they can afford. At the same time, just because someone has Photoshop or OpenCanvas, don't shoot off comments like "this is the best you can do with such an awesome program?". Like any medium, digital apps take time to learn as well.

Basically, it's not that smart to judge by the medium. What's important is to critique the execution of such a medium. And in what ways the artist can improve their skills with this medium.

How to Converse with the Artist - Most of the time I do get comments back from the artists after I make a critique. It makes sense... My comments are generally much longer and thought out than the multitude of 'kawaii!' comments that an artist may get. I'm all for support of your friends and fellow artists... but I wonder sometimes if some artists don't get much impact from such simple praises anymore. It doesn't take much effort to type up a one word comment on a piece. So even if you're not critiquing, go on and tell the artist why you find this piece 'kawaii' or whatever. It will tell them what they're doing right, in your eyes. And that can help and will probably mean more to them than the simpler comment.

As for answering to a reply from a critique... that all depends upon the artist and how they react. Typically I don't give critique on pieces that aren't asking for it. Though I've been inspired to go on a random search of dA and just start critiquing.

If the artist replies in a positive fashion... well that's probably the best you can get. A mature reply, perhaps even asking for further tips or clarification of your critique. The nastiest replies however come from those insecure people who consider critique is some sort of personal attack. You can try to reason with these people... but it can get difficult. You can decide when you've had enough. If you can try to stay courteous and polite, despite the artist foaming at the mouth.

All I will say is you as the critic should try to take the high road. Be the mature adult. It will only reflect badly on the artist, not yourself, that the artist cannot take critique. Though make sure that you didn't some how flame them in your critique. As long as you don't put something that's against the dA policy in your comments, you should be fine. Keeping civil on your side makes you invincible.


Examples of Good and Bad Critique -

To finish up this journal entry, I'm going to type up some fake critiques. If you wish to volunteer one of your pieces to me to use as an example, I'll give it a good and bad critique. It would probably help this portion of my journal. Otherwise let's just pretend shall we?

The picture in question is a shoulders and up shot. The artist colored it in crayon. And the picture would be considered a front on view. The main issues with the picture are the lack of skillful execution of the coloring, as well as an unappealing lumpy and asymmetrical look of the head and features.

Rude Critique: YOU SUCK AT DRAWING!
-Unless you want to hurt the artist's feelings, please don't make such a comment.

Bad Critique: The head is lumpy and lacks symmetry of a straight on look of the face. And your coloring is like scribbles.
-Considering the above drawing would probably be more likely drawn by a child, I doubt this kind of direct critique would settle well with a child. The critic just pointed out what needs fixing, but gave no help on HOW to fix it next time, or how the artist can improve these weaknesses. Nor did they say anything supportive or positive about the piece.

Good Critique: Nice attempt at a front face shot. Though I think it would have looked a bit better if you had been more careful with the shape of the head (usually a front on head looks more like an oval or a circle, whereas your's is leaning to one side strangely). In a front on stance the features are also generally symmetrical, unless you're trying to mimic Picasso. Also, the next time you use this medium, try slowly outlining the section you wish to be a certain color (like for instance, if you had outlined the hair in green). Then work on slowly filling in the outlined space with even strokes. It will look cleaner. Not all art has to look clean per say, but using a messy style of coloring actually takes great skill. Learn the clean way first before stepping into other realms of coloring, would be my suggestion. Hope that helps, and if you need clarification or suggestions, don't hesistate to ask! And keep drawing and practicing!

-Longer than the others. This piece of critique tries to better explain what could be improved, and also offers tips on how to improve on the next drawing this artist creates. And the critic also gave support with such comments as "nice attempt" and "keep drawing".


Unhelpful Critique: W0w!!!11 tats the mst awesum drawin evar!!!6489r6932689!!23!!oyuigIU!!
-... wow I think my brain died a little as I typed that. As I said, positive support is good but... This person didn't even offer why the piece is the most 'awesum drawin evar'. They might not have been trying to hurt the artist's feelings... But coddling too much generally leaves an artist in a stagnant state without growth.

Well, I think I've rambled enough for today. Keep cool everyone, and if you want something critiqued don't hesistate to ask!