The Importance of Art Critiques 4 Tips

[CarolHorvath]

[Marsha (Pita)]

Cool.

[jillh]

Good stuff!

[dennis]

Yep, critique is very necessary for progress. If someone tries to break you down with deliberate negative comments, then turn your back on that person. Always look for someone who builds you up. Even with an apprentice bricklayer, the Master Bricklayer has to break out a few bricks that are not quite in line, in order to show the faults, and then show how to produce a beautifully finished building.


Bad critique comes from people who break you down but do not know, or have the knowledge, how to pick you up again.

[Annie.]

Yep, critique is very necessary for progress. If someone tries to break you down with deliberate negative comments, then turn your back on that person. Always look for someone who builds you up. Even with an apprentice bricklayer, the Master Bricklayer has to break out a few bricks that are not quite in line, in order to show the faults, and then show how to produce a beautifully finished building.


Bad critique comes from people who break you down but do not know, or have the knowledge, how to pick you up again.

Cleary, as Dennis said,  criticism is negative and destructive but critique is positive and help the person improve their work (here our paintings).   The following was posted in a place where I worked and... it says it all. 

 
   
The Difference between Critique and Criticism

Criticism finds fault/Critique looks at structure
Criticism looks for what's lacking/Critique finds what's working
Criticism condemns what it doesn't understand/Critique asks for clarification
Criticism is spoken with a cruel wit and sarcastic tongue/Critique's voice is kind, honest, and objective
Criticism is negative/Critique is positive (even about what isn't working)
Criticism is vague and general/Critique is concrete and specific
Criticism has no sense of humor/Critique insists on laughter, too
Criticism looks for flaws in the person as well as their work/Critique addresses only the work

ref:  Judy Reeves, 2008. (I am not sure, but I think it was written in the context of writers having their work reviewed by other, still it applies to any kind of work)

Thank you Carol, it is a very important topic and most relevant to PB members.   

[Val]

I've seen that before Annie, excellent explanation. Thanks for posting it here. 

[ncwren]

Spot on Annie-thanks for posting this!

[nolan]

Must say that I prefer our Encourager system - tell what you like then say how to fix what you don't like. That way you have two positives instead of a one positive - one negative, or even worse, just negatives

[BeaSue]

I tend to agree with Nolan. I spent years teaching a writing class, and that is the method I always used with my students. All praise all the time isn't helpful. And suggestions for changes are more easily heard than admonishments.

[Sacgal/Sharon]

Nolan is absolutely right! Luckily most of the folks on PB adhere to this - the 1 or 2 that don't I try not to let them get under my skin too much!

[Val]

Criticism is negative/Critique is positive (even about what isn't working)

I took this to mean pretty much what Nolan is saying... stating things that are good as well as others that can be improved without belittling the work. Bad interpretation on my part?
Not the first time my thought processes were a bit whacked!     

[Annie.]

I think we are all saying the same thing, just with different words... reinforced the point.
 

[njnjgirl]

Thanks for sharing this Carol and well put everyone!

[patindaytona]

I'm my own worst critic. I don't even show my wife my work until a couple months and several paintings down the line. I know if i show her and says it's good, it can go all downhill from there because i kept going at it. Painting is very very personal to me. I can't handle critisizm.