srilyk
02-20-2009, 11:11 AM
Hi, I've noticed that some folks have problems with receiving crits, so I thought I'd write a bit of a tutorial to help (everyone) deal with the topic of getting and responding to critiques.
Step 1:
Draw(or write) something. Put at least *some* effort into it. If you draw a circle and a few sticks and ask for a crit, you probably won't get a great response. If you type a few sentences like this The girl walked into the bar. A man shot her. you probably won't get a great response. If that's the best you can do don't expect a lot of good critiques.
Step 2:
Post it. It's really difficult for us to offer good critiques on something we cannot see. Most likely no one will bother to respond. Really a no brainer, but I'm nothing if not thorough.
Step 3:
If there is a specific problem that you're having, mention it. If there is a specific area (eyes, fingers, legs, hips) that you're having trouble with, call our attention to it. Sometimes we only have a few minutes, and an indication of what you would like to see helps direct our comments.
Step 4:
Remove self disparaging remarks. Saying "I know I suck at this" doesn't help us and it doesn't help you. Trust me - if you really suck, someone will probably tell you ;)
Step 5:
Leave your attitude at the door. Unless it's a nice one :D
Some people will give you harsh crits. Some will crit on things you haven't seen. Some people will probably crit on things you don't really care about. If you respond to people in an immature fashion, people will be less likely to give you future critiques, and less likely to listen to crits you offer to others.
Step 6:
Offer other people crits. There are plenty of threads to choose from. A good rule of thumb would be offer two crits each time you want a piece of yours critiqued. And few (if any) would be upset if you gave up two crits for each one you receive. Including the bad ones. Make those crits count. Find at least one or two things you like about someone else's piece and one thing you think could use some work. When you help out, people are more likely to help you out.
Step 7:
Say thank you. This is a perfect time to ask for clarification, too. Don't be afraid to plead ignorance. If someone says, "Learn anatomy!", don't just discard that because everyone says it, or because you're already trying. If you don't know what they mean, ask for specifics. For example: "Learn anatomy!" "I'm working on it. I've been reading <insert book/site>. I've also been watching <insert video>. Where would you recommend I focus? What should I study? Thanks for all the help!"
People like to know their efforts are appreciated.
Step 8:
This could be two steps but I'll keep it as one. USE the advice and don't be afraid to forget bad habits. If someone tells you to do a study of hands, create some plan for you that works. Maybe you'll draw two hands a day. Maybe you'll draw 50 hands. Maybe you'll do a study of a hand and then draw a hand how you want. Or maybe some other drawing that you enjoy. It's important to reward work with play. Just don't get it out of balance.
Step 9:
Show your work/results. If you've developed as an artist/writer/whatever because of advice we gave, we'd love to see it. Most of us are here because we not only enjoy making beautiful art/writing, but we enjoy the "consumption" of said art/writing.
If you follow these steps, you're very likely to improve as an artist, have a great time on Polykarbon, and heck, you'll probably be a better human being, too ;) :D
If anyone has any crits of *this*... let 'em fly ;) :unibrow:
Step 1:
Draw(or write) something. Put at least *some* effort into it. If you draw a circle and a few sticks and ask for a crit, you probably won't get a great response. If you type a few sentences like this The girl walked into the bar. A man shot her. you probably won't get a great response. If that's the best you can do don't expect a lot of good critiques.
Step 2:
Post it. It's really difficult for us to offer good critiques on something we cannot see. Most likely no one will bother to respond. Really a no brainer, but I'm nothing if not thorough.
Step 3:
If there is a specific problem that you're having, mention it. If there is a specific area (eyes, fingers, legs, hips) that you're having trouble with, call our attention to it. Sometimes we only have a few minutes, and an indication of what you would like to see helps direct our comments.
Step 4:
Remove self disparaging remarks. Saying "I know I suck at this" doesn't help us and it doesn't help you. Trust me - if you really suck, someone will probably tell you ;)
Step 5:
Leave your attitude at the door. Unless it's a nice one :D
Some people will give you harsh crits. Some will crit on things you haven't seen. Some people will probably crit on things you don't really care about. If you respond to people in an immature fashion, people will be less likely to give you future critiques, and less likely to listen to crits you offer to others.
Step 6:
Offer other people crits. There are plenty of threads to choose from. A good rule of thumb would be offer two crits each time you want a piece of yours critiqued. And few (if any) would be upset if you gave up two crits for each one you receive. Including the bad ones. Make those crits count. Find at least one or two things you like about someone else's piece and one thing you think could use some work. When you help out, people are more likely to help you out.
Step 7:
Say thank you. This is a perfect time to ask for clarification, too. Don't be afraid to plead ignorance. If someone says, "Learn anatomy!", don't just discard that because everyone says it, or because you're already trying. If you don't know what they mean, ask for specifics. For example: "Learn anatomy!" "I'm working on it. I've been reading <insert book/site>. I've also been watching <insert video>. Where would you recommend I focus? What should I study? Thanks for all the help!"
People like to know their efforts are appreciated.
Step 8:
This could be two steps but I'll keep it as one. USE the advice and don't be afraid to forget bad habits. If someone tells you to do a study of hands, create some plan for you that works. Maybe you'll draw two hands a day. Maybe you'll draw 50 hands. Maybe you'll do a study of a hand and then draw a hand how you want. Or maybe some other drawing that you enjoy. It's important to reward work with play. Just don't get it out of balance.
Step 9:
Show your work/results. If you've developed as an artist/writer/whatever because of advice we gave, we'd love to see it. Most of us are here because we not only enjoy making beautiful art/writing, but we enjoy the "consumption" of said art/writing.
If you follow these steps, you're very likely to improve as an artist, have a great time on Polykarbon, and heck, you'll probably be a better human being, too ;) :D
If anyone has any crits of *this*... let 'em fly ;) :unibrow: