135: The Give and Take of Critique

Be sure to check out Julie’s new class: Practical Color for Painters.

In episode 135 Julie and Eileen discuss the importance of giving and receiving critique, emphasizing the need for both parties to be in the right mindset to hear and give feedback. They also highlight the balance between listening to feedback and not taking every comment to heart. The episode is packed with specific tips you can use for both giving and receiving feedback about your artwork. You can listen to the podcast or watch the video version:

https://youtu.be/KXHIkkQhcO8?si=_5wleYfwZRwGLmxR

Hear are some tips from the podcast:

Receiving a critique is an essential aspect of artistic growth, and how you approach and process feedback can significantly impact your development as an artist.

Giving a critique is a nuanced process that involves a combination of empathy, insight, and constructive analysis.

Empathy: Understand and appreciate the artist’s perspective, intent, and effort. Recognize that creating art is a personal and often vulnerable process. Approach the critique with sensitivity, considering the artist’s feelings and the significance of their work to them.

Positivity: Start with positive feedback. Acknowledge the strengths of the artwork to create a supportive atmosphere. Highlighting what works well helps build the artist’s confidence and encourages them to be open to constructive criticism.

Respect: Respect the artist’s individual style and creative choices. Avoid imposing your personal preferences on their work. Consider the artist’s intentions and the message they are trying to convey. This understanding allows you to provide feedback that aligns with their goals and helps them refine their expression.

Open-mindedness: Approach the critique with an open mind. Be receptive to different perspectives and interpretations of your work. Recognize that feedback is an opportunity for growth, and being open-minded allows you to consider suggestions that may enhance your artistic expression.

Focus on the Work, Not Yourself: Remember that the critique is about improving the artwork, not a personal attack. Try to separate your emotional attachment to the piece from the feedback you receive. Focus on the aspects of the work that can be refined or expanded.

Resilience- a kind of positivity: Cultivate resilience in the face of constructive criticism. Understand that receiving feedback is part of the creative process and not a judgment of your worth as an artist. Use critiques as a means to strengthen your skills and evolve as a creative individual.

Clarity: Express your thoughts clearly and concisely. Avoid vague statements and provide specific details about what you appreciate and what you think could be improved. Instead of general statements, pinpoint particular elements of the artwork that you find effective or in need of improvement. Specific feedback is more actionable and beneficial for the artist.

Clarification: If a critique is unclear or if you need more information about specific points, don’t hesitate to seek clarification. Engaging in a dialogue with those providing feedback can enhance your understanding and help you apply the suggestions more effectively.

Honesty: Be honest in your feedback, but do so in a kind and constructive manner. Honesty helps the artist understand areas for improvement and fosters trust in the critique process.  Remember, the goal of a critique is to facilitate growth and improvement. You want to help an artist refine their skills but also encourage them to continue exploring and expressing their unique creative voice.

Reflect on Intentions-be honest with yourself: Consider the intentions behind your artistic choices. Reflect on whether your choices align with the message or emotion you aimed to convey. This self-reflection allows you to better understand the impact of your decisions on the viewer.

Constructive Feedback: Be specific and offer a path to success.  Frame your feedback as questions or suggestions rather than right and wrong, allowing the artist to decide how to incorporate or respond to the critique.

After the critique:

Prioritize Feedback: Not all feedback may be equally relevant or applicable. Learn to prioritize the suggestions that align with your artistic goals and resonate with your vision. This discernment helps you focus on the most impactful changes.

Identify Patterns: Look for patterns in the feedback you receive. If multiple people highlight the same strengths or areas for improvement, it may indicate key aspects of your work that deserve attention. Identifying patterns helps you prioritize changes and improvements.

Take Your Time: Avoid immediate reactions, especially if the feedback is unexpected or critical. Take some time to process the information before deciding how to incorporate it into your work. This thoughtful approach ensures a more deliberate and intentional response.  This is why I always try to write it down or record it.

Embrace feedback as a tool for improvement, and use it to refine your skills, deepen your understanding of your craft, and further develop your unique artistic voice. If you’re interested in regular feedback, you can join my monthly group coaching sessions, included with Super Learner Membership.