Art College Crash Course, Lesson 3: Surviving Your First Critique
Or: how to hear "it lacks intention" and keep drawing anyway.
A critique, or "crit," is when you pin your work on the wall and the class talks about it. It's supposed to help. Sometimes it does. Sometimes it feels like a scary movie in four acts.
The critique in four acts
Act 1: The wait. Everyone pins up their work. You look at the wall and suddenly your drawing looks terrible next to everyone else's.
Act 2: Someone else goes first. A classmate shows a simple piece with a very long title. The professor loves it. You start to sweat.
Act 3: Your turn. Silence. The professor stares. Someone says, "I'm not sure what you're trying to say." Someone else says, "It feels too finished." You're not sure what either means.
Act 4: The nod. You nod, say "thanks," and write it down.
The five critique characters
The Big Words. "It explores liminal space." Translation: it's an empty hallway. Ask them what they mean in plain words.
The Fortune Cookie. "Art is a journey." Nice. Not helpful. Ask for one specific thing to change.
The Blunt One. "This doesn't work." Ouch. Ask why, and you'll often get the most useful feedback of the day.
The "I Like It" Person. "Nice colors." Kind. Ask what they'd change.
The Question Asker. "What do you think it's missing?" Annoying, but this teacher wants you to think for yourself. Have an answer ready.
How to actually learn from critiques
Rule 1: It's about the drawing, not about you. Feedback on your art isn't feedback on you as a person.
Rule 2: Ask follow-up questions. "Can you show me where?" "What would you try?" Turn vague feedback into specific feedback.
Rule 3: Look for patterns. If one person says something, it's an opinion. If three people say it, it's probably worth fixing.
Rule 4: You get the final say. It's your art. Take what helps and leave the rest.
How to give a good critique
Use the sandwich, but make it useful: 1. One thing that works, and why. 2. One specific thing to try. 3. One question about the artist's goal.
Try this
Pick one of your drawings and critique it yourself, using the three steps above. Write it down. Then ask a friend or family member to do the same. Compare.
Up next
Lesson 4: The Truth About "Finding Your Style." (Spoiler: you already have one.)
What's the most confusing feedback you've ever gotten? Tell us in the comments.
The revolution will not be graded.
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