We need a safe word
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@Chip-Valecek Hey Chip, I like your idea of creating a specific category for critiques. It would also be great to have some pointers (somewhere obvious in the forum) on how to give an effective critique, as well as how to ask for a critique. AND maybe this could be a podcast topic? If this info has already been posted, then you could have a link to it.
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@Chip-Valecek great idea
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@burvantill Yes, I know what you mean. I've had my own spirit crushed many, many times, thinking that I could handle a tough critique, and I have lasting scars (ugh-flashbacking now to my old sculpture instructor). Having a safe word, or just saying in a few words-- I don't know what the heck I'm doing. Help! And please be gentle.--could be one way to avert a harsher-than-you-can-handle critique.
With all that said, most artists are extremely sensitive, and bruised feelings can't always be avoided. There's something to be said for developing a tough skin. I'm constantly working on this myself.
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When I want crits I just put it in the comments when I post the image. I just say any comments and crits are welcomed. Artists need to grow a thick skin....and not every crit you get will be correct so you have to take everything with a grain of salt. That being said if there has to be safe word I'd pick :supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
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I like the CRIT WANTED category idea. I also usually put in mine that any crits welcome, but I have also passed over commenting on others for fear of hurting someone's feelings. Maybe I need to ask the person posting a few questions first, such as asking what specifically they are looking for help on. I was given the advice years ago to always start a critique with something positive, and then to kindly mention what I think needs work. I'm no expert, and I have been on the other side of a rough crit, so my aim is always to help and not to discourage. We can all only move forward from where we're at today. Maybe we can all make an effort to try to comment more on the posts that don't get as much love.
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Sometimes it just takes too much time and energy to explain specifically to a new illustrator why their drawing doesn't work or why it looks unfinished. 1:1 critique takes a lot of critical thinking from the part of the reviewer and then needs to be filtered through appropriate commentary filters so no one ends up despairing. It's also hard to know where someone is in their career based off single posts here and there.
Anyway, I feel like I'd be repeating nice-isms like...
- Keep drawing!
- Just keep on working and your style will emerge.
- "Talent" takes time and a lot of practice. It doesn't happen overnight.
- You'll develop a discerning eye, skills, and eventually you'll be able to match your artwork with your vision.
Well, now that I've written it here, I guess I can just copy and paste for future critique seekers.
Oh, and I love the safe word "CRIT WANTED"
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I added Critique Requested under the parent category Artwork. You should now be able to select that when you create a thread.
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@Chip-Valecek Yay!
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@Johanna-Kim I second your suggestion of getting some guidance on giving a good critique. It's a skill-both in seeing what could be improved in a piece as well as in how to deliver that message. Lee does a brilliant job-I'm thinking of reviewing his posted thoughts on the monthly contests. I suspect that I listen so openly and intently to him is because the technical perspective he brings is so excellent, that how could I quibble? But I'm not prepared to share in that forum my work-it's just not up to that level.
Meanwhile I was just reading the thread with @Jason-Bowen posting for feedback and many joining in but particularly @Johanna-Kim gave feedback in a way that to me seemed focused, with targeted suggestions and it seemed received at well. I wondered if it had been inspired by the good discussion here.
A SVS podcast devoted to this would be awesome!
And @Chip-Valecek - your suggestion of a category for this would be great If the idea is that if you post there/with that category-you're letting us know that you want serious feedback. How could we help new members not wander into that space if its not quite what they're looking for? "Serious feed back here"?
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@Susan-Marks I've thought the crits given on this forum have always been good.
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@Jason-Bowen No quibbles with them always been good; I think some folks were asking when could they be a bit deeper-how can the reviewer feel comfortable or safe in giving pointed feedback. I really learn a lot when the reviewer points out specific suggestions and gives a "why".
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@Susan-Marks said in We need a safe word:
And @Chip-Valecek - How could we help new members not wander into that space if its not quite what they're looking for? "Serious feed back here"?
@Chip-Valecek Thanks for adding that category. Is there an easy way to add an explanation of what to expect in this category? Even changing the title to "Serious Critiqes Requested" gets closer.
