“If you have no critics you’ll likely have no success.” – Malcolm X

Throughout history, if people listened to critics, we’d likely have no art, no music, or literature.

Successful people often ignore critics, picking apart hidden truths within the critique. Gleaning useful bits and learning to apply them can be a difficult process, but mostly for those who can manage their sensitivity to being told, “your work sucks” or “I hate that!”

I once had work in an exhibition in a public gallery. I was young and the viewers were people whom I didn’t know. Two women approached my paintings. I lingered behind them, inconspicuous, ears opened wide. They reeled back slightly, when one said, “Good lord, that’s hideous!” The other said, “gross” and “offensive.” They agreed, “How do you come up with something like that and think it’s any good?” I was hurt and defeated.

In their defense, the picture was, indeed, grotesque: me as a naked baby, with an adult head, wearing nothing but a Beatles shirt, my umbilical cord coiling out from my naval to an airbrush painting blood in the sky. I was 19 years old and my intent was to shock. Despite getting the reaction I wanted, I was still disappointed that they saw only the subject matter and ignored my painting skills. Brush strokes, layers of gouache paint, line work – not a word.

I began to realize how to create art for an audience and how to anticipate criticism:

1. Understanding the critic’s perspective

Whether a trained critic or amateur with no background, everyone’s got a taste, opinion, or reason for their perspective about art. Many consider their advice to enlighten and inform, yet don’t understand they risk puncturing an artist’s ego. Drawing from personal interest or experience is important for critics, suggesting the artist might benefit from working in their style or with their approach. Being open a critic’s suggestions and understanding the perspective of what they experience, can often be beneficial to an artist. 

2. Opinions are like armpits – everybody’s got ‘em and they usually stink!

While an opinion is neither wrong nor right, they can be taken as such. It’s important to weigh out any factual relevance in an opinion and the background of the person it’s coming from. An opinion is not the final verdict of something nor is it backed by facts. It’s a blend of judgements that combine education, personal experience, and emotional connection. Most times, an opinion can reveal truths that an artist can use, while tossing the rest away.

3. Eliminate “think,” “feel,” and “believe,” and go with what remains.

When the women referred to my work as “offensive and gross,” it was easy to dismiss it, as it was their opinion. What those women “thought, felt, or believed” about my work was irrelevant. Had they made comments on the brush work, perspective, lighting, or color choices, I could at least appreciate what their perspective. However, being offended by the subject matter without reason left me with no feedback I could use, practically.

4. Is there any truth in what they say?

An artist who only paints in red, will receive criticism for being predictable. And should that criticism be ignored, than the praise of the artist’s skill will be diminished by the view that, “oh, here’s another ‘red painting.’” The artist won’t likely grow by ignoring the truth in other’s critiques or opinions.

Should that same artist begin exploring other colors, the criticism can no longer pin the work down to being predictable, and therefore must focus on other elements, like skill. The artist becomes willing to explore new options and challenges, and develop beyond their predictable safe environment.

5. Reflection is a walkway of loose stones

Reflecting back on criticism can be useful in finding solutions to new challenges. “Mark has always had a hard time drawing water.” I may not need that feedback now, but should I approach water again, I can draw off that comment and work harder to overcome the challenge of drawing water. A critique of how you use color? Learn how to apply color; Anatomy is wrong? Focus more on drawing anatomy; A photographer is critiqued for bad composition? Then understand composition, better.

Critiques are often met with sensitive, subjective reactions and pushed away. But, when they are reflected on, later, more objectively, they become useful and a tool to help improve the final solution.

6. Don’t be so sensitive!

Egos take a hit when criticized, for any reason. Artists can be more susceptible. People say all the time, “you’re too sensitive!” However, no one can be “too” sensitive; they are just sensitive, period.

People offering opinions under the belief they’re helping you don’t understand the rug being pulled out from under your feet. The more negative or harsh, the worse it is.

“If you surround yourself with your own art, you are successful; but put against the work of others, you fail.”

A teacher at the Massachusetts College of Art once said that to me, suggesting that I was too impressed with my own artwork and was not measuring myself against the work of others.

The comment upset me, and clearly, I remembered it. But, I was able to dismiss the comment’s negative impact and examine the truth in it – that I need to start exposing myself to art that inspires and motivates me to be better.

Getting upset by every bad critique will never help us become better. Negative feedback is not always bad and often reveals great information, but only if we’re being open, honest, and willing to swallow truth that will stir us up and push us to grow.  

7. How to react to negative feedback or harsh criticism

When I get negative feedback, I take a deep breath and quickly examine the words chosen. I choose reply carefully and usually rely on some of these points (these apply to anything, art, photo, music, etc). 

• Allow the critic to finish their thoughts, without interruption, to fully understand their perspective.
  
• Silence your internal dialogue while receiving feedback – take it all in before forming a reply.
• When they’re done, take a deep breath, reflect on what they said.
• Address the relevant points that are worth exploring; ignore points that aren’t.
• Stay positive and humble.
• It’s always good to acknowledge others consideration and say, “thank you!” 
• Avoid critiquing the critique or the critic (i.e. “You’re not a painter – you don’t know anything!”)
• Engage a critic like a teacher, enlightening the student to your method and approach..
• Be agreeable to take criticism under consideration: “Yes, I understand – I’ll think about that.”
• Revisit the work, itself, to see how your thoughts mix with the critique. 

8. When feedback is irrelevant or irrational

We’re all critics, like it or not. When looking at a photo of birds, and someone says, “I prefer beaches,” there’s really no way to address the comment. It has nothing to do with the photo being reviewed.

So often, comments come from left field where a different story is read from a subject than was intended. Once, in a charcoal class, I drew a cityscape of Boston rooftops. In the center was a small radio tower. When the drawing was hung for a group critique, one person stated that it was a subtle commentary on religious being lost in a world of technology, the radio tower replacing the holy cross. Others in the class agreed. I was shocked, as I never intended it that way! To me, it was just a radio tower.

Critical bombs are often dropped on an artist and/or their work, leaving them to soak in the feedback for minutes, hours, or even days, while the critic just walks way, unaffected, moving onto the next bomb to drop. It’s important to separate irrelevant feedback and dismiss it, focusing only on that which provides concrete insight.

9. Unsolicited advice and suggestions

“I like how you painted the ocean, but you could add a  or try using  to get more from the viewer.”

Oh, if I had a dime for the unwanted suggestions or advice I’ve been given about my work! After struggling to find a solid solution to a problem, it can be awkward to have someone suggest how you could’ve done it better.

Trivial feedback or unsolicited advice causes a unique reaction, usually more internal than just criticism.

But, it’s actually not always bad! 

Sometimes, the input of others, even unwanted, can yield really helpful insight. In theater set design, artists work very closely on large-scale projects. It’s easy to lose sight of the full scope of the project or the relationships between set pieces when you’re that close. I often suggest to artists to stop working, periodically, and walk to the back of the theater to look at their work. From that distance, any inconsistencies or errors are more easily recognized, like a crooked landscape or color conflicts between pieces. The most common response from artists, even though they didn’t ask for my feedback, is, “Oh my, I had no idea!” and “Wow! I never saw that!”

No one appreciates being corrected or told how to improve their cupcakes, but sometimes, the suggestion of adding frosting may not just make the cupcakes better, but allow for consideration for future cupcakes, as well.

10. Growth means being uncomfortable

There is truth in the idea that an artist working alone, without feedback, is successful. Residing in that comfort zone, always creating the same work and never receiving truthful feedback – whether positive or negative – means there’s little room for growth. However, artists that are open to receiving truthful feedback will usually find themselves in an uncomfortable place, allowing room to grow, learn, and develop new skills. 

Networking, sharing, discussing, and meeting others who are also in that uncomfortable place are the best ways to fully gather honest insight and constructive criticism to build from, where multiple perspectives are woven to create a tapestry of success, for everyone, not just the single artist.

When I post new art and I people say, “great job!” or “nice work”, I’m genuinely grateful for the compliments. But, what really inspires me and challenges my work is when someone says, “Good stuff, but your trees look rushed” or “the blue you used is too strong against the orange color.” 

I always appreciate truthful feedback and cherish the opportunities to explore new ways to approach my work.

Love & Cheers!