As artists, we have all been there sooner or later.
"How do you like my artwork?" you ask.
What an awkward question to ask or to answer. I have asked this question and I have answered it too. I have been teaching adults and children how to draw for the past 15 years now and I know that when it comes to critiquing someone else's artwork, you need to be sensitive of another person's feelings. Saying harsh words in responding to another person's artwork can be detrimental.
During my adult drawing classes I have heard horror stories from older adults who gave up on producing works of art in their younger years because they had been told by either a teacher, friend or family member that their art wasn't good enough. Art criticism can take its toll. I had a gentleman in one of my classes in his 70's who had that experience. While he always loved drawing, he never pursued it because he thought his drawings were no good. After retirement, he thought it would be interesting to pick up a pencil and start drawing again. This man's drawings were unbelievable. Once he learned what tools to use and how to draw, he began to feel more confident towards his work. He regretted not pursuing it earlier.
When we ask someone if they like our artwork, we want an honest opinion back, right? We can, however, be surprised or even shocked when the feedback is not what we think it will be.
"It's OK....but maybe you should put THAT over THERE."
"This could be better."
"Are you going to hang that on your wall?"
"You want to be an artist? That's not a career!"
"What is THAT???"
"Don't waste your time with your artwork. It's terrible!"
"My kid can draw better than that!"
People's comments can be down right nasty. On the other hand, other people's criticism can be constructive. And yes, there is a big difference between the two.
My artwork has been criticized too. Not everyone loves realism and I have often been told to 'loosen up". While I have no qualm about people who paint loosely or abstract, why do people feel they have to tell me to loosen up my artwork so it's not so realistic?
Remember that not everyone has the same etiquette in responding to how they think about your artwork.
Our very own Canadian artist, Robert Bateman, has weathered his storm of art criticism, however, he is in great company with other famous artists such as Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Cezanne, Edouard Manet and Norman Rockwell.
"Norman Rockwell was demonized by a generation of critics who not only saw him as an enemy of modern art, but of all art,” said Deborah Solomon, whose biography of Rockwell, “American Mirror,” was published last year. “He was seen as a lowly calendar artist whose work was unrelated to the lofty ambitions of art,” she said, or, as she put it in her book, “a cornball and a square.” The critical dismissal “was obviously a source of great pain throughout his life,” - New York Times
With so many artists in the world today, I don't believe art critics have as much power as they once did. I do, believe, however that it is the gallery curators that now have the power.
Art has never been so popular with the connection of social media, websites, YouTube, books, forums and networking. And yet where there is more art, there is more criticism. It's easy for anyone to be the 'art critic' now and hide behind a computer while they comment harshly and sometimes ignorantly on one's artwork.
Criticism can also be an important part of personal self improvement.
It is other people who can point out our mistakes that we otherwise can't see because we lack objectivity.
After getting through the bruising of someone critiquing your artwork consider these:
1) Where is the source coming from? If the person, who is providing the art criticism, isn't providing you with any support for improvements then take it with a grain of salt.
2) Listen and learn. - It will be all too tempting to get defensive when you actually may be surprised of what another person's opinion can tell you.
3) Ask questions. - Don't just accept the criticism. Ask why the critic feels the way they do. What do they suggest you change?
4) Don't take it personally! This is a big one that is hard to swallow. You have just painted or drawn a beautiful masterpiece, and you love it. Now someone else feels they need to tell you what is wrong with it. Don't get a bruised ego over it and know that it is not a personal attack on yourself.
How Should You Provide Criticism?
1) Make suggestions for improvements. Provide constructive criticism that the other person can grow from and help to improve and possibly learn from.
2) Point out the positives! An artist has put their heart and soul into their work so point out some of the positives and don't make it all about the negative things you don't like. Put yourself in their shoes.
3) Be specific. Don't beat around the bush or the person may feel everything is wrong with their artwork. Be very specific of what you are providing criticism for.
4) Don't attack the person. No matter what you think about their artwork, this is not about a personal attack. Do not criticize the person. For example, "Are you crazy, Mary? What were you thinking when you drew that?"
5) Be Kind. In all circumstances always be diplomatic and kind in your words. Be soft spoken and explain your views to the other person. Remember that this person will immediately start building their defence up. If you are kind then perhaps this person will listen to your views.
So How Do You Take Art Criticism?
WARNING! Some foul language near the end of this video.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1SReQ_dLxQ
“I try more and more to be myself, caring relatively little whether people approve or disapprove.”
- Vincent Van Gogh