Comments on: How to Survive an Art Critique

By: Steph

Steph — Tue, 24 May 2011 01:33:59 +0000

Well I am no artist but I certainly got a lot out of your article! I am now in my 5th year of architecture school and ‘crits’ don’t seem to get any easier as time goes by. I find though, when I’m presenting as long as I can justify the process I took, or explain how it fit in with the original concept most people don’t tend to say as many negative things about it and are more constructive about the work.

By: Spencer Meagher

Spencer Meagher — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 15:40:50 +0000

I really enjoyed your article. Over the years I have come to understand as you stated so eloquently, at the end of the day it is just someone’s opinion. You can’t take it too seriously.

I have watched judges select winners and wondered why they chose the ones that they did. And then watched them struggle to justify their critique. It can be rather humorous.

By: 3 Ways to Get the Most From Your Critiques | Learn to... Art!

3 Ways to Get the Most From Your Critiques | Learn to... Art! — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 15:49:13 +0000

[...] is in response to Rob’s question on my post How to Survive an Art Critique. He explained that he didn’t get very much feedback during his critiques and wanted to know [...]

By: Miranda

Miranda — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 02:38:16 +0000

Hi Rob! Thanks for stopping by. I sent you an email, but as a quick answer to your question, some pieces can just be difficult to critique. Don’t take it personally, but try to figure out a way that you can get more of a response during your critiques.

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:52:30 +0000

Excellent article. I seem to have a problem with my work; during critiques no one seems to have much to say at all about my work, good or bad. Does this mean the work is horrible or that its so good that it leaves people speechless?

By: Kim

Kim — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:22:04 +0000

Miranda, first let me congratulate you on another wonderful post with a lot of valuable information. I think you have hit the nail directly on the head with great advice to those of us who are very sensitive. It is difficult to contend with super negative people and in some cases just those who know of no other way to try to elevate themselves. It is often said everyone is the critic and boy is that true!

One bit I would like to add, if you do not mind, is how someone sees art often depends on their personal frame of mind. While professors and professional critics are suppose to be able to put that aside, it is not always (or maybe even often) the case. Art does something to people they/we don’t often understand and that something depends on each individual’s life experiences. I know many people see my work in a very different way than I view it, but I think that comes from it touching something deep inside them. In many cases, the negatives come from them not particularly wanting to go with their feelings, and that puts them in a defensive mind frame, sometimes.

Now this observation just might be true for abstract work, but my guess it is also true for realistic work. At least I have had viseral responses to realism.

Wonderful Topic! Thanks Miranda!

By: Miranda

Miranda — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 16:21:48 +0000

Hi David! Stone carving is something I know absolutely nothing about. Well, that’s not true, I did carve a bit of soapstone once, but that’s about it! I’m amazed at how sculptors like you can envision a 3D form and create it out of a lump of rock. I wouldn’t even know where to begin! Thanks for stopping by and adding your voice to this discussion, I hope you come back soon!

By: david brierley(stonegenius)

david brierley(stonegenius) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:32:26 +0000

may I congratulate you on highlighting this subject,it will be comforting to the young art students intending to make art a career.As a stonecarver/sculptor,I seldom recieve criticism for my work,and if I did,I would not bat an eyelid,I doubt the critic would have the required knowledge or experience of the natural stone working techniques to pass any viable comment,allthough we are open to honest comments,by people in the know.