Criticism

Here's another topic from the book The "Artist's Way."
It's a topic that can swing wildly in different directions.

Criticism.

Well placed criticism is essential for any artist to improve.
Good criticism makes you think, "Ah, that's what I was missing!"

Poor criticism can crush an artist.
It shames you. It criticizes you, instead of your artwork and makes it personal.
Bad criticisms is not clear. It is vague and doesn't really go anywhere.
And it may not even be true.
This often comes from the kind of people that think art is a waste of time, and you're wasting your life on it. Or they're jealous of your work, etc.

It takes a lot of courage for an artist to share their art with others. Art is a part of your soul. It is your baby that you spent a lot of time and love on. When someone is cruel, uncaring, or shaming when they see it, it can hurt. A lot.
Nasty criticism has ruined many an artist.

Be careful who you share with, if you have poisonous people around you.

But any artist who becomes well known is going to face negative criticism. No matter how amazing your work is, there will always be people who don't understand, or who hate it.
Every artist needs to grown a thick skin if they want their art widely shared.

And don't get mad if people criticize your work. It just means that they want to make it better.
If they don't want to make it better, then you shouldn't listen to them in the first place.

(Anne here rather lost her cool at Gilbert when he gave his honest opinion on her short story. When she cooled down and thought it over, it helped her turn over a new leaf in her writing).

It can be hard to keep your cool. For example, if you have worked hard on something, and think it's in good shape. And you share it with someone you care about, and they don't have any enthusiasm for it.
Or they don't seem to like it.
It can be hard.
So just keep working. Use it to push yourself.

But remember if you are critiquing art, that art is someone's baby. Be respectful, and do your best.


Sometimes good and bad criticism isn't so easy to tell apart. There's plenty that falls in the middle.
At these time, the artist needs to use their best judgement.
Some comments will not make the work better.
For example in Bakuman, Mashiro and Takagi decide to take suggestions from the fans, and end up creating a very dreadful chapter.
This is your art, and it is your job to make it shine. Not the job of the fans (though the work would not have much value without the love of fans). There's a reason not everyone is an artist.
People can give you suggestions, but not every suggestion is worth accepting.
Some people have odd tastes. Or they weren't paying close attention when they looked at your art. Or they just don't have the understanding to really see it for what it is.
But most suggestions should be listened to. Especially if multiple people say the same thing.
Maybe you aren't getting your point across. Or something is unpolished, or off.

If any criticism feels painful, think about how you would defend it. Compose a reply in your head. You may or may not want to deliver that reply to the criticizer, but it will help you to get through your feelings.
Also try to think if it could help in any way.


And always remember, bad art is important. You cannot improve without making bad art. It helps you learn and grow.