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How Do you Deal with Criticism about Your Art?

Well, first off I'd say, criticism isn't just the negative things that people say about your artwork but also the positive things that people say about your work. Also, if someone says, "I like it." or "I hate it." and that's all, that's not criticism. Criticism isn't someone's opinion, they need to justify WHY they like or dislike something for it to be a true critique. LOL. In my art classes, we students wouldn't dare to be asked to do a critique of another student's work and simply say, "I like it." We'd get strange looks... >>

Anyway, I'm going to take it that your talking about how to recieve negative criticism. Well, my advice would be to, even before submitting your artwork for critique, decide what you like or don't like about the work. What do you, as the artist, feel is strong about the work? What would you absolutely not change? What do you feel needs work? Is there something you absolutely hate about the work? Is there something you feel is 'missing' from the work and can't put a finger on? Critiquing your own work causes you to find the flaws before others, and usually causes you to be less offended when recieving critique because you will remember that the same issues that arouse when you looked at your work. Also, doing this causes you to understand your choices. :3

Okay, so you've critiqued your work. So, go ahead and submit your work... but remember your criticism of the work, is there anything that your already know needs some help? Then ask those who are going to view your artwork to assist in that area. Hey, if you already know it's wrong, why not get some help with making it right for the drawing you've submitted or for drawings in the future? This will direct your viewer's comments to help you rather than just having pointing out a mistake you know is there but have no idea how to fix ^^

Okay so you've submitting your stuff, gotten some feedback now, you have to reply/respond to it. First rule, don't get offended. Honestly, these people are taking about a drawing, poem, prose, whatever. They are not bashing YOU. Remember your work and the person you are are two totally different beings. Also remember that art is never perfect. No matter how many people rave about Piccaso, not everbody loves his work, and no matter how many people say Pollock is the greatest American painter, his work is not welcomed by everyone. If someone is obviously trying to be offending--using extremely harsh words, or fighting words, like, "THIS F*CKING SUX!!!"--and not really offering what they like or dislike about the work or ways to improve, I'd just ignore them. Look to the commenters that ARE using they're critiques to help you, and see if they can elaborate on how to make your work better.

Okay, Second rule, not all criticism is something you may want to apply to your work. If someone says, "I dislike the hair, it looks too curly. Try making it straighter," but you really enjoy how curly it looks then don't change it. All criticism is up for consideration by you. You chose what critique you feel is justified or not, and which somes you feel are going to actually help your work or not. Don't shoot down every idea that is against your drawing as "wrong," but consider whether each piece of critique with actually make your artwork stronger or not. If not, go ahead an scrap the advice. If someone critiques your work and you feel that your critique don't yell at them why you fell that they're critique is incorrect, but rather tell them why you perfer the work as it is or why will probably will not be changing your artwork. :3

Okay, Third rule. Admit when people are right about what's lacking in your work, and thank them for pointing it out. They are making your artwork better, they are talking the time to make a worthwhile comment, they deserve a hug ^^

Criticism exists to make artists better.

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--TRUE JOURNAL

Sorry for being a flake lately... I'm trying to get done with my final tests >> I'll be working hard for this week and next Christmas break is soon... which makes me happy.

*sigh* I regret not being able to get to comments -___-... It saddens me TT___TT .... Also contest results will be up soon. I haven't forgotten the~!

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Oh please visit my friend, Yue Xu. I helped her set up a DA account since I was over at her apartment studying for my Art History Final :3 Please visit her and be very nice to her. She cooked me a wonderful lunch today ^_____^




She was nervous about posting her work, but I think she's very talented... go tell her, will you? ^__^

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[+] Projects:
----[-] RSOM Entry: 40% D:
----[-] Book Illustrations: Initial Sketches Done.
----[-] Kiriban for ~TheLameArtist: 50%
----[-] Commission for =KyteGlory Sketch done! Needs Upload.
----[-] Commission for ~joseybird: Done! Needs Upload.
----[-] Request for ~Kapot: 20%
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----[-] Art Trade with ~daphonebook
----[-] 100 Theme Challenge (I'm making up my own XD): 2%
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----[-]Penciling Tutorial: Done!
----[-] Anatomy Tutorial: 2%
----[-] Perspective Tutorial: 30%
----[-] Watercolor Tutorial: 10%
----[-] Painter IX Tutorial: 15%
----[-] Screentone Tutorial: 0%
----[-] Human Head Tutorial: 50%
----[-] Hair Tutorial: 80%
----[-] Clothing Tutorial: 80%

Clubs: ~anime-artists, ~online-manga, ~painterlove, *ThePencilClub, *color-me-club, *ink-n-color, & *artworkshop

Commissions ---> [link]
F.A.Q. --->[link]
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Hair Walkthrough ---> [link]
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Inking Tutorial---> [link]