Episode 10: Critiques

[NicholeMarie]

This was a fantastic podcast, now for my critique: Something I would like to have a discussion about is when an artist thinks they are ready for a critique, but really aren't. So the punch seems even harder, because it was unexpected. What's the best way to come back from that? I'm curious to see the response from instructors and fellow student artists as well. Because you do see those who get an unexpected punch and some fall and don't get back up from it.

I try really hard to go into a critique thinking that I will have to start over or make some hefty changes to my piece, or like Lee said, pretend it's a study or just for the sake of learning. But occasionally, my skin does get a little thin, and I get defensive. Not to the point of tears, but there's a bit of a sting from what critics have said and frustration and overwhelm, build up and I can't let it go. Usually I just let time do it's thing and I forget about it, or just ignore it and move on, but I don't know if this is the best process. Haha.

And I really did like the story at the beginning with not considering art for work. I feel like I have found my sweet spot. I studied graphic design in school and that's my job, but illustration and watercolor is my hobby. I do sell my illustrations, but knowing full-well that it won't support me.

Thanks again for another great podcast. Keep 'em coming.

[Teju Abiola]

@chrisaakins Aw, thank you! We are all getting our acts together, and absorbing info is certainly the best way to do so I think realizing we can trust our instincts is also important when learning things or else we don't develop enough confidence and second-guess everything we do. The confidence thing is something on which I personally still have lots and lots of work to do!

[Pamela Fraley]

It was a good episode. Lots to think about. I was a little convicted by the idea of asking for feedback, but not giving it out. I struggle with that. I feel like I’m asking for a critique because I have no idea what I’m doing... which makes me feel under qualified to give out critiques. I try to anyway, but it’s uncomfortable. And, I feel like anyone hearing my critique of their work could just go look at mine and then dismiss what I have to say based on what I’m not doing well. It’s tricky. And I guess learning how to be humble and diplomatic about it is a big part of it.
What I particularly like is when people point out specifics to me. “ there’s a tangent” or “here’s an anatomical issue” or “your perspective is off a bit here.” When I show people something and they start talking about it in vague terms, I feel just as lost as ever. Or more so. I guess I need to work on doing the same. And, I’m definitely guilty of asking for a “critique” on a finished piece when all I really want is validation.

[ArtofAleksey]

I really appreciate episodes that give me more pieces of the puzzle as far as what else should I be doing to improve and move forward with my art. In some of the previous episodes you talked about how to juggle life/work/art when you’re still learning and developing. I’d like to know, do you have advice on how someone who has a job on the side and needs to make time to practice art go about finding a critique group where they may not be able to attend regularly because the time they have available is already thinned? Or would in this situation online critique groups are a good solution? And if so, how can someone go about finding an online one where the other artists in the group give critiques that will genuinely improve your art rather than just having something to say (or other critique group issues you would face)?

[davidhohn]

A really important podcast. Maybe the most important yet!
I want to just highlight again something that is VITAL to all critiques of an illustration:

Know what you are trying to say. Or put more simply: Know what your keywords are.
Keywords are two to three words (no more than a single sentence) that encapsulates the feeling you are trying to communicate in your image. The best keywords are verbs and adjectives. Words that carry emotional weight in our culture.

If your critique-er doesn't ask what your keywords are, be sure to tell them! Otherwise you could be trying to illustrate "happy apples" and the person critiquing could be talking all about how they would visually communicate "depressed oranges".

Anatomy, perspective, composition, value structure, color palette, medium; these are all just tools to communicate an idea, a feeling, to evoke a response from your viewer. Important yes, but only in so far as they help you communicate your "keywords".

Note: I recognize that the critique of an "illustration" is different from a critique of a "study". A study is more of a technical exercise. In my recent "Dynamic Expressions: Drawing Heads and Hands" class we rarely discussed "keywords" and all feedback was focused primarily anatomy and technique. While in Lee's and my "Turbocharging your Creativity" we discuss each piece's intent, its "keywords" at great length to better enable our students to visually communicate their ideas.

[Laurel Aylesworth]

Loved this podcast as well. One of the reasons I appreciate the format of SVS classes is that I don't have to sit through people getting defensive about the feedback they received on their work. Articulating exactly what you want to get from any critique is something I'll incorporate going forward (yes, I've fallen to that need for validation instead of looking for actual feedback). I'm happy to offer some of my time if anyone wants a critique of their work. Let's punch each other in the gut.

[chrisaakins]

@laurel-aylesworth I checked out your website. I love your style. The mermaid in the teacup cracked me up. Where do you get your ideas?

[Laurel Aylesworth]

@chrisaakins Thanks Chris! That's a good question. I have no idea - LOL

Do you have a website?

[chrisaakins]

@laurel-aylesworth No. I just have an instagram account. I am not currently marketing my work. I am a full-time art teacher and in grad school. So this is my diversion from what I should be doing. You can follow me if you want to see my work. @chrisakinsart

[Larry Whitler]

Jake, Will, and Lee,

I love the podcasts, guys. I listen to them on my drive to work.

The discussion you had regarding critiques brought my thoughts to those negative critiques I've read about the works of other very accomplished artists. Norman Rockwell comes to mind. So does Thomas Kinkade, Salvador Dali, Vincent Van Gogh, and even Charles Shultz.

The critiques of all of the above mentioned, well known, artists' work has been ruthless. And yet, after their deaths their works are revered. (And, yes, I've even been to a Charles Shultz exhibit at an art museum.)

I sat next to a guy at a baseball game some years ago and he was yelling the most horrible insults at the guy playing right field. His sentiments were clearly reflecting his loyalty to the opposite team and he had, in no way, any interest in furthering the skills of the player.

If a critique is to be constructive, as it should be, then the real question is how do we know, as artists, if the critic offering the critique is doing so with a teacher's heart and genuinely interested in helping the artist improve? If so, then the next question is, "How do I use this information?"

Critiques can be critiqued, too.

Just yesterday I was at a restaurant. It is a "sit down" restaurant but they also offer an "all you can eat" salad bar. The two women across from me were loading up on the salad bar. I mean their plates were piled as high as Richard Dreyfuss's mashed potatoes in the movie "Close Encounters."

When they couldn't stuff their faces any further they asked the waitress for a "take out" box. The waitress informed them that "take out" boxes are not offered for the "all you can eat" buffet (after all, it is NOT the "all you can eat AND THEN SOME" buffet!).

So the ladies became angry. They asked for the manager. I heard them telling the manager that their waitress was rude and unprofessional. (I had the same waitress, by the way. She was as sweet as can be.) Then I saw one of the ladies writing something very wordy on a napkin. Oh my gosh! The waitress was going to be reading a horrible critique!

Horrible and horribly self serving.

I felt bad for the waitress. Would this cause her to quit? Would this ruin her day?

So, focusing back on art, I knew a very talented portrait artist. He worked in pastels. He had an easel set up at a local art supply store and I used to watch him work. I learned a lot by just watching him.

One day I asked him if he was part of the local Artist's Guild. He said he applied but was rejected. I asked why and he said they told him his work was too "photo realistic." I knew what they meant. His work was VERY photo realistic. But it was also beautiful and I'm sure the people who have his works hanging in their homes think so as well.

Here's the part that gets to me. That same Artist's Guild invited a portrait artist from New York to show his work in their gallery for a full month. Among the oils were also some pastels. Brilliant work, no doubt, but why did the Artist's Guild dismiss the talents of the local artist at the art supply store?

I guess my point is this. As artists we must simply create. We're never going to please everyone anyway.

One last thought, in Harry Chapin's song "Mr. Tanner" he tells the story of a baritone that sang beautifully. He worked as a tailor as his day job and saved up enough money to rent out a performance hall where he gave a concert. The reviews in the newspaper read, "Mr. Martin Tanner, Baritone, of Dayton, Ohio made his Town Hall debut last night. He came well prepared, but unfortunately his presentation was not up to contemporary professional standards. His voice lacks the range of tonal color necessary to make it
consistently interesting. Full time consideration of another endeavor might be in order."

Harry Chapin then writes, "He came home to Dayton and was questioned by his friends. Then he smiled and just said nothing and he never sang again,
Excepting very late at night when the shop was dark and closed. He sang softly to himself as he sorted through the clothes."

If we truly are made in God's image, then as children of The Creator, we must also have a natural desire to create.

If you are creating, then keep it up.

You three gentlemen are making a great contribution to the lives of those you touch. Even the assignments you illustrated that you "hated" doing has given great joy to those who have seen your work.

Thank you for what you do and thank you for sharing your wisdom and guidance with young people aspiring to become as great as they can at their craft.

Remember, just before dying, Leonardo Da Vinci said “I have offended God and mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have.”

Larry