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Guideline to Critiquing for Hospital Staff

This post is about how Staff should go about critiquing others:

Artists are sensitive to critique because usually we have a strong connection of self-identity and pride with our works. So often times when the critique is given, our pride can be hurt. Like putting a needle through the balloon you know?


Critique vs Criticism:
"Critique is just pointing out the mistakes of the picture."

THAT'S WRONG!!

The statement you just read was pure criticism. A proper critique is more than that. A critique can always contain criticism, but a criticism doesn't always contain a critique.

proper critique should include:
Use of technical terms and terms of art.
Point out the cause of the problem as well as the effect of the problem.
Recognize the strong points as well as the weak points.
Possibly give a direction or suggestion for improvement.
Analyze the problem critically, and have an organized output.
Critique is not always about criticism, it can also be for praise.


How to Give Critique to different levels of artists:

Styles of Critiques:
1. Praise critique: using artistic vocab to appreciate an artwork that has been done.
2. Encouragement critique: Encourage the artist to move on, focusing on suggestions and directions to improve.
3. Criticism Critique: Critiques that tears down, points out root cause of a problem in the artwork. (not just superficial problems)
4. Blunt Critique: Frank statements about the artworks, straight to the points of likes and dislikes and why.


1. To a more skillful artist:

+ Use praising and encourage critique style, and try to make your point more of a "personal view":
"This is great~ but I would like it even better if __________ is added or changed."

"In my personal view, the picture can be even better if _____________"

The artist may get an impression of: "hmm... ok, I will think about it."

+ Give the artist's room and respect their established standard: Dare I say most artists are all perfectionists? So when you make your comments, treat it as if they have already thought about the problem, they might already know the problem. So you give them room for cover even when they didn't realize the problem you are pointing out.

Their reaction might be: "Oh, I didn't see that." Perhaps you will get a "thanks." But even if you don't get anything back, usually they are already thinking about it and move on their way to improve for the next picture.


2. If you are a female artist giving a male artist comments:

Unless the other person looks up to you, or already is your fan/friend/student... in general, if you are a recognized female artist, there's a few unspoken rule when you talk to a male artist, no matter what level you are at.

+ Give them respect no matter what level they are at. Men seem to be more sensitive to a woman's comment on their work than they are to critique from another man.

+ Try not to pick on their problems, but encourage them. That usually works better for artist's impression.

3. Talking with other established artists:

+ Give room to pride. Pride is a very fragile thing, like a balloon, it makes a person easily get offended when they are poked. Like running a needle through the balloon. (I call it air-head syndrome.)
But it's okay to offend them once in a while, give them cooling time, a wise one will still think about your words and get better, a foolish one is not worth your time.

+ Make sure you know what kind of comments they have been getting before you make your comment:
It's very likely they have heard 500 times of what you have to say.... if they know you have already read up and know what others have been saying, even when you repeat the same thing, they would feel more respected and appreciated.

+Do not compare them with another popular artist for similarity:
Most of the established artists hate that. That kind of innocent comments makes them feel they are less than another. Even when you meant well.

I encourage showing the artist something different from what he or she has been doing for a reference or inspiration.

4. When you need to confront an artist:

+Depending on the artist's personality, your confrontation method should vary. Some artists appear to be lazy, but they are just struggling and they are slow learners. They need a lot of help instead of confrontation. So find out the facts before you get angry.

+Some people are just less dedicated, to those artists you need to loosen up your standard and inspire them instead.

+Some are just pure lazy, they want to get better but they don't want to work for it. Scold them. No friendliness necessary. They will thank you after you scold them, they just need someone to whip them. Usually... these lazy students are male students for some reason.

5. To find out what the artist needs:
Adjusting the level of your critique to match a certain artist's needs takes time. You can start with the same level of critique for everyone, then adjust your setting according to their feedback.


Still have questions? Visit the Artists' Hospital 101 or the F.A.Q., or comment here and a Doctor will get back to you.



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