What is constructive criticism?Constructive criticism is an opinion or a fact that what would make the piece in question
better. That means you point out a fault of the piece, but follow-up with a statement that you believe would make the piece better should the artist follow your advice. This does NOT mean the artist
has to follow your advice though! (So don't be too upset if the artist doesn't feel that your opinion would help.) It is NOT a means of an attack though! DO NOT, and I repeat.
DO NOT take it as an attack against you as an artist, and do not use it as a means of an attack!
Example of good Constructive Criticism
"I believe that if you moved the figure from the center of the image and followed the
Rules of Thirds, it would make your piece dynamic, since if your figure is right in the middle, there is no place for your eye to travel.
Also, I think that you should bump up the contrast between your light and darks, which will also add to the dynamic feeling I think you're trying to achieve. Currently, your colors are very similar to each other, so it's a very subdued feeling in your work."
Of course, this is just a mega-example. You don't have to go quite to that extent, but it's just to show you what good constructive criticism can be like.
But what was with that sudden schizo moment up above about attacks? Some artists, when first starting out, have very thin skin. How do you fix this? By getting it scarred up and calloused from critiques. If you're serious about your art, then you will want a serious critique. None of this: 'Tell me only positive things'. You will NEVER improve if people only point out your strong points. The entire point of a critique is to make you aware of your weaker areas, so that you can work on them and make them better.
So... long story short: Constructive critiques are good! We're not trying to hurt your feelings by saying that the hand is too tiny or the head is too big!
BUT, for those giving the critiques, this isn't a way to attack an artist, either. (Please don't be mean like that. If you are having an argument with another person, please contact me and we can settle this like civil people.)
For example...
This is a BAD Critique
Your art is terrible. Don't draw this ever again because it was bad the first time, so it'll suck the next time.
A little over-the-top, but you get what I mean. See how that doesn't help anyone at all?
In addition... From my own personal experience of bad crits.
Some snotty girl that really didn't like me for some reason
"It's too stylized. I don't like it at all."
... Okay. So, you don't like it. That's nice. But what in the world does 'It's too stylized' mean!?
emotion_donotwant Be clear about what you mean. Being vague doesn't help anyone.
Reply
