Critique Arena: Special Critique Session
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@LisaF yes!
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Am I the only one who is slightly confused by the “special” critiques? I think they were taking the lucky term way to literal, isn’t that the idea with an open prompt like that, that there can be sooo many views and ideas and opinions on that word? If they wanted to go by the literal definition of lucky than it should’ve stated so in the prompt description instead of leading us to believe it could’ve been illustrated as anything other than.
“ As luck would have it, there are many directions you can go with this prompt: good luck, bad luck, beginner’s luck, Lady Luck, luck of the draw! Just try not to rely on dumb luck for this challenge! Best of luck everyone!” Is a little bit misleading, all I’m sayin’.
I don’t want to sound like im complaining I ALWAYS appreciate every bit of critique and insight the guys and svs offer and I always learn something, but I was just a little confused I guess.
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@Asyas_illos it didn't seem too clear, even by the end. A lot of "don't do this" without as much of the constructive criticism of a the draw overs I had hoped for.
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I get the takeaway is concept but I still think the staff didn’t read prompt description very well or maybe I just didn’t understand the prompt description, but If that’s the case I know I wasn’t the only one.
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@Asyas_illos I think when it comes to literal interpretations the issue, to put it plainly, is that it isn’t very creative to be literal. As illustrators we need to find clever solutions that solve the problem we’re dealt with in a unique but clear way. The literal solution to this prompt is the first thing that pops into our heads because it’s the most obvious and it’s for reasons like this that we often hear "never go with your first idea" and why it’s recommended to do many thumbnails before moving forward with a concept. A lot of work should go into the concept and I think that’s what they were trying to emphasize in today’s critiques.
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Haha, I was wondering if anyone else was also confused. Take nothing away from the absolutely stunning @Johanna-Kim image but, like Jake said, in a million years I wouldn't have described it as "lucky".
Also, perhaps this comes down to my lack of observational skills, I thought many pieces they critiqued told the idea of "lucky" in a much clearer way than the piece by @Kim-Rosenlof as incredibly well done as it was (I'm looking at you @Merry-Millergass, @StudioLooong, @lizardillo, and @Cayleen.)
My takeaway is to try to make an image that leaves the viewer thinking about it after they leave, although there is a bit of a, "you'll know it when you see it!" vagueness shrouded in that takeaway. It's a blast to participate in the Arena so I'll keep participating and having fun! It's so great to see everyone's takes!
Keep kicking butt everyone 
Again, I loved Johanna and Kim's pieces and really admire them so much, just gorgeous! I almost refrained from using specific examples but then I figured there wouldn't be any point to this post if I didn't include them.
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I guess I should consider myself "Lucky" for having my image not only critiqued but first one on the board! O.o Which was kind of crazy.
That was really cool, and though it was a fairly short critique, it's been a long time since I've had any sort of teacher critique my work so I really enjoyed that and really just the whole process, even if there was a curve ball thrown in the format haha.
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@Valerie-Light @Asyas_illos I'll try to further clarify if I can.
We are sorry that the prompt description was loose, but even using much looser terms, many of the pieces were vague and/or confusing OR un-relatable. Then some had a clever idea, but then didn't push the art side of it enough.
The real take away from this should be that we are looking for a relatable concept that has a unique/clever twist. Combine that unique and clever twist with all the art techniques that support it and you will do VERY well.
That said, at the end of the day there will ALWAYS be a X-factor in a contest. Just like there will be in a job situation where one person gets it over another.
We tried to show process of coming up with an image and also what the snags were in the pieces. Our hope was to give you a general idea of what to THINK about when making the piece. We could never solve each illustration problem completely on it's own in this format in a real way. For example, Will showed a drawing of a guy who narrowly escaping a falling piano to emphasis the thoughts/action of a character in a scene. If you turned in that exact drawing he did, it would not have won because he was just demoing the thoughts behind why an image worked or doesn't work. That image would have been too set up and obvious to actually do well. We just thought it was a great teaching opportunity here.
So even if you didn't totally agree with or get some of the things we said, it's okay because as long as you are asking yourself the questions when making a piece, then we did our job. If making the next illustration you try out all kinds of ideas in writing, then thumbnail a bunch of shots and pick one that is clever and uses all the best in art elements (composition, color, value, etc), then you are moving in the right direction. Our ultimate goal is to give you the process to make better images, as opposed to "do these things to win a contest."
Hope that makes sense! Let me know if you have any questions. : )
Cheers,
LeeSVS Faculty Instructor
www.leewhiteillustration.com -
@Lee-White Thanks, Lee, that's a good summary.
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@Lee-White thanks for going over it again, like you said I may not have agreed with some of it but I definitely took things away from it, a great learning experience that I’m definitely applying to my next entry for the next prompt!
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Thanks @Blitz55 @Griffin @Jeremiahbrown @Valerie-Light for posting your opinions too I’m glad I wasn’t the only one a tiny bit perplexed by the whole thing, I was feeling argumentative and wanted to voice my frustration lol blame it on will
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Hi Guys, although I'm grateful to have had my piece be one of the winners of the March "Luck" prompt, I was as surprised as some of you. Creating work that communicates a concept in a powerful and clear way is something I struggle with, and I think it shows in my piece. Many times, I overthink a concept and make the story too complicated. Ironically, I feel that I was truly lucky to get this win, so my feelings are mixed.
Like all of you, with the monthly prompts, I spend a lot of time on my submissions, and hope that my pieces will resonate in some way with others, even if it has issues. Each month, I see the flaws in my work, and try harder to keep improving. Hopefully, if I'm lucky to be a finalist again, or by some stroke of luck, a winner, I'll feel more deserving.
Lastly and more importantly, I'm so appreciative of the time that @Will-Terry and @Lee-White spent on the lesson. They shared so many valuable insights and advice. It's clear they really care about teaching us and I plan on rewatching that part again.
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@Johanna-Kim For what it's worth, yours was very well done and very beautiful to look at.
Draw, Draw, Draw, Draw and Draw Some More!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/levisimpson55/ -
@Johanna-Kim I really love yours and I think you should do the whole story, if you haven't already done it. Very beautiful!
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@Johanna-Kim I was surprised to see mine in the top four, but not yours. I definitely agree with the critique they gave me even though it is hard to hear. It was a bittersweet moment to say the least. Especially when others don't agree with their picks.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiminyrose/
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@Blitz55 Thanks so much:)
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@Kim-Rosenlof I feel exactly the same about your piece--it's really wonderful!--and I totally empathize with how you're feeling. Thank you for your kind words. We artists are all very sensitive, which is helpful for making expressive and deeply emotional work, but also challenging when we get less-than-stellar notes. But I have to keep reminding myself to not take feedback and opinions personally, and instead, learn from them and try to do better next time. Easier said than done, though.
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I read a book with my kids tonight about the Easter Bunny and I was thinking a lot about what was taught today. While the Easter Bunny book did have pretty illustrations, it did not have a clear interesting story throughout the illustrations. I am grateful for the time spent on this lesson today, Will, Lee, and Jake. I appreciate that you don't merely want us to be good at illustration, but also have that WOW factor.
@Asyas_illos My favorite was the bird one of yours! I would have liked to hear what they had to say about that one.
@Johanna-Kim My 9 year old son is totally in love with yours. I thought it was so beautiful! You should be very proud of what you accomplished!
www.instagram.com/lisaclarkart
www.lisaclarkart.art -
@Lisa-Clark I agree, I’ve read stories to my kids, that I can see the issues in the illustrations. I’m still really new to illustration, and I strive to absorb everything I possibly can. I don’t want to just be an ok illustrator… I want to have the wow factor. I’m grateful for these classes, and for all of the insight from Will, Lee, Jake, and David. You can’t grow and get better if you’re only shown your strengths. We grow more from confronting our weaknesses.
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@Johanna-Kim said in Critique Arena: Special Critique Session:. Hopefully, if I'm lucky to be a finalist again, or by some stroke of luck, a winner, I'll feel more deserving.
This happened to me a few years ago with the Mermay contest. I got picked as a winner and then everyone chimed in that you “couldn’t even tell they were mermaids” because you couldn’t see the tails. It kinda takes the fun out of the win. I didn’t know how to feel about that. It kinda sucked actually. But I do want to reiterate what Lee said. Sometimes there’s just something about a piece that catches the eye and pulls you in. You totally accomplished that! Your work was beautiful and professional quality. And, that’s the real win. The point of SVS is to help us become pro level illustrators, not to win contests. Even the contests are about highlighting the pro level work. I would say all the top 4 were there this month.
