How Do You Critique Art?

What Every Artist Should Know

Painting and drawing open a new perspective in how we view the world. Whereas someone viewing this art may like it or not. The world can have their own opinion on how they perceive the beauty or quality or value of that art piece. But it is your journey as an artist to live out and experience. Art Critiques can help us, but they should never define our art.

Art As Your Journey

As an artist, I have experienced various art critiques many times, however it may not be as constructive art criticism and you would like. You must accept it because you learn that that is just the way it is. Your art is your journey You must find the place where you are meant to be in your art. And because it is your journey, the person judging your art may not have your  vision.

My Experience Being Critiqued

Several years ago, someone suggested I apply to be a Copley Artist. To be accepted into The Copley Art Society is considered a high honor. You have met their standards of what one considers the best in quality in representative art. You could apply be sending two paintings, framed, to the Society to be critiqued. I took two paintings I thought the Copley Society would appreciate to a wonderful framer. The framer had much experience, and we chose two frames for the paintings that we thought best. Then, off they went to Boston packaged carefully with the details they requested and the fee to be reviewed by someone. I was not told who that would be. I guess they use several judges.

When Art Criticism Misses the Bigger Picture

One painting was of an orchid. The other was peaceful waves in an ocean. I was pleased with them both and thought they fit into the spectrum of Copley Artists. Both were rejected. The reasons were that the orchid did not have enough veins in the leaves. Orchids do not have too many veins so that seemed ridiculous. The ocean painting did not have enough breaks in the way. As I said, it had gentle wave. It was called “Gentle Waves.” They also did not like the frames.  

The reason for rejection did not make sense and I called to see if I could speak to the person who reviewed my art. They said no, it was not possible. Those were the rules.

I was frustrated and disappointed, not only in the rejection but in the way they handled it. When you are an artist, you open yourself up to express your vision of a particular thing or feeling.  I saw this as a rejection of not only my vision but as an artist because it was handled so abruptly. This is not who I am as a person. They said I could apply again, but I couldn’t. It would be admitting that I was willing to submit myself to that style of rejection.

Why Every Artist Should Keep Painting

In The Artist’s Journey,Steven Pressfield, the bestselling author, says “There is a dimension of reality above the material dimension we live in. There is a search for that dimension in your life.”

This is what art is about. Constructive art criticism is good and valuable. But it should not take about the uniqueness of your vision and the dimension that your life brings to you art.

Society reflects on art and often appreciates the artist years afterwards. Van Gogh is one artist who was not seen as a great artist until many years after his death. He created a vast amount but was seen as a non-conformer.

Rejection is part of the art world. Yet, it is such a joy to paint and when you paint your vision you realize it is a journey: your journey. You learn to accept that a review is one person’s assessment of the artistic value of your painting and just that.

You are called to be an artist. That is your journey. Don’t let anyone discourage your talent.