GUIDELINES in How to GIVE and TAKE Critiques

#1

It was mentioned in another thread that there should be a guide to giving and receiving critiques so I thought I’d get the ball rolling, brainstorming what guidelines there might be. Any additions or comments on what I’ve put together so far? Anyone want to start a template for the HOW TO TAKE CRITIQUES portion?

In no way am I trying to paint myself as an authority. Like I said, I’m just trying to get the ball rolling.

HOW TO CRITIQUE AN IMAGE

THE BASICS

  1. Try to look at all elements of the image: design, modelling, lighting, texturing, composition, colours, concept, etc.

  2. Avoid being critical on anything beyond control of the creator (ie. why did this image get an award, why does it have 4 stars, why was it published, Why is the internet so slow, etc.)

  3. When you like or dislike an image, try to pin down the elements that make you feel this way. “Absolute rubbish” as well as “Great!” do little to help an artist progress. Very rarely is anything all bad or all good. Try to balance them out wherever possible.

  4. Bear in mind that your comments are as much of a representation of who you are as your portfolio; no one is going to be impressed by insulting or condescending comments.

INCENTIVE
By learning to look critically and thoughtfully at the works of others, you will improve your ability to judge your own work.

#2

This is a good idea.

#3

very nice, perhaps this should become a sticky in all of the forums in which finished works are posted?

Also, to take a critique:

Always keep in mind that your work will not appeal to everyone.

Instead of taking an attitude of “my work is flawless, you don’t know what you’re talking about”, look at what is being pointed out and try to learn from it. If somebody points out something that they see as an error, but you see as a feature of your work, try to explain what you are attempting to do with the said error/feature and if you feel it’s neccessary, show an example of something similar.

Do not take an overly harsh critique personally, we’re talking about a piece of art–not you. Again the point is to learn from your mistakes.

Above all, stay cool and calm. The goal is to learn and improve your work! Have fun!

#4

Here’s another one…

FOR SHOWREEL CRITIQUES

Many showreels show collaborative efforts; implying that the person responsible is trying to take credit for everything in a misleading way will only highlight your inexperience. Showreels will generally be for specific disciplines like animation, lighting, texturing, editing, team management, etc. which will usually be highlighted in the titles or credits of the reel.

#5

Well said.

E.

#6

When you post, the following verbiage appears above the text window:

Before posting, please review the following:

[ol]
[li]Be courteous and polite. Show respect to the opinions and feelings of others. Use of the forums is a privilege, not a right.[/li][li]Engage your brain before your mouth. You are responsible for your own words and any harm they may cause.[/li][li]Don’t dilute the forums with irrelevant and unnecessary fluff. CGTalk is a professional, moderated forum. It’s a place to talk about all things related to computer graphics.[/li][li]Critiques and responses to images are to be constructive and related to improving the quality of the artwork.[/li][/ol]

#7

Absolutely. It’s a dilemma, I admit. Some people just don’t translate “irrevelant and unnecessary fluff” in the same way.

Not sure if it would work, but I think this could be buttressed nicely with a sticky in the relevant forums. It would be the only sticky so it’s going to be hard not to notice.

#8

I just wanted to add that even if a work doesn’t “appeal to you” - you may nevertheless be capable of admitting some merit to it.

Take for instance a horror image - I don’t really like those ones - but if it’s well executed ? I could give it 3 - 4- even 5 stars even if I don’t really like the subject.

Personally, I think that we should be able to put our own taste a bit to rest when giving critics or giving stars.

One thing that I have noticed for some time is that whatever mattepainting posted in the 2D gallery, it will almost immediately get at least 4 stars. If it hasn’t really any interest as a stand-alone artwork - if the composition isn’t that terrific - it WILL get at least four stars. However, thanks to the deciders, they never end up in the 2D Choice Gallery.

Also people who have a special graphics style - perhaps very far from photorealism - will often get no comments at all although they have a very sure and professional, personal style - probably because a lot of people here simply don’t appreciate.

As an example, one of my old pals from another forum posted two pics here and got NO replies … I find him overly talented and so must Ballistics’ have done too, because he had one of his images in one of their books.

#9

Thanks for getting it started siouxfire. :thumbsup:

Always a good thing to keep in mind.

These are my personal thoughts of critiques, I could be right or wrong to a degree. I’m not making myself an authority either.

To GIVE:
Don’t write the whole critique as one paragraph. Or any post for that matter, generally it’s hard to read and comprehend. Personal preference I think. If you write well enough I guess it’s ok.

Do encourage the artist. Even if the entire crit points out flaws, at least give a simple encouraging statement so they feel like there’s hope. Because there is.

Understand that the artist might not be able to do what you’re suggesting. So if you don’t see the changes you stated don’t feel like you were ignored. It is still their work, not yours.

Also, crit to improve the artist’s execution not to completely change the subject matter.

Take the time to analyze the work. Think how accurate you want to make your statements.

To RECEIVE:
Don’t feel threatened or insulted. If they sound like they’re belittling you, it could be because they don’t know how knowledgeable you are. How do they know you’re heard of edgeloops, tweening, or subsurface scattering?

They might actually know or see something you don’t, so don’t be quick to shoot down their ideas.

Appreciate these people, they are taking their time to help you. Especially paintovers and animated gifs (Thank you Rebeccak and Stahlberg!). They saved your image, ran a program, and painted something, and uploaded it. How cool is that? Try doing that yourself and you’ll see it does take a considerable amount of time and effort.

#10

If you dont know how to post a courteous critique of someone work, I’m not sure someones guidelines are going to help.

#11

Great thread!

I was a victim of condescending comments about my stuff today… in front of an audience (classmates). I bet he didn´t even know about it himself and it was all me. I certainly hope so though.

I like critique and all that, Hell it´s what keeps me improving but when you just make the “creator” feel bad… that´s really not good at all.

#12

I agree with thePhotographer; some styles, no matter how good just don’t get the recognition they deserve here, which is a shame.

My dilema is always when to post and when not to; sometimes I’ll see an image (I’m mainly in the 2d forums) with scores of replies often consisting of no critique at all, just comments like ‘ooh beautiful’ etc. Now don’t get me wrong the images are usually of a good standard, but sometimes there’s something that I believe would improve the image but feel that posting anything negative, even if constructive and accompanied by what I like about the work, would not go down well when surrounded by four star ratings and repeated superlatives that probably don’t help the artist improve in any way.
At the other end of the spectrum there are images that are very poor that often recieve no replies, probably because people (like me) are worried about upsetting the poster, who eventually gets upset because nobody has replied. In these situations, do you give critique in the hope of helping someone and risk demoralising them or do you leave it?

This is a worthwhile thread!

#13

I would have to say, yes go ahead and give a good critique there. It’s especially important to be as consturctive and supportive as possible for situations like that IMO.

As they say, no venture is without risk.
Does the risk of possibly demoralizing an artist outweigh trying to help them improve?

#14

If they specifically say “C&C appreciated” then post away, they did ask for it :slight_smile:

#15

I see your point, but it goes beyond just courteous. I think a lot of people are genuinely trying to provide some sort of constructive feedback (sometimes) when they say “Great work!” or similar comments, certainly “courteous” but not altogether informative. Beginners and newcomers might feel they’re not qualified to comment beyond this, but as Leigh pointed out in another thread, everyone has something to bring to the table; beginners and others see things that we do not.

I suppose this thread is here for those who are interested to see others’ viewpoints on what they expect in regard to critiques. I’ve already learned a few things from the viewpoints already given.

And thanks everyone for the thread compliments, but this really stemmed naturally from the “standout thread” and things we all see regularly in the various art posting threads.

#16

Always remember your only goal is to “help” the other artist.

A critique is not to stroke your own ego, or promote content you like. It is for the benefit of the other artist. They are the ones putting themselves on the line.

Ohmanoggin

#17

I’m curious to know what people consider deserving of the star ratings that are dished out. Sometimes it feels like people are rating without much thought to the content.

#18

How about posting links to the different aspects that they are supposed to be able to crit. Show a link to the basics of composition, color theory, topology, character design, texturing and lighting. Also poses should be crited since they reflect the character’s attitude.

#19

It would be good to point to links like that. Hopefully it won’t be given and accepted in a condescending way. What I think would be better would be to review those basic elements and show how it’ll improve the work.

#20

INCENTIVE
Genuinely helping others is often returned in like form. Lord knows we all need that:).