Artist critique

[Reginald Fairfield]

Without getting into anything too specific, I follow an artist. Not too long ago they were talking about how they aren't improving fast enough. I do prefer some of their older work. It could be down to shape of their characters eyes. It was more almond shaped, now it's more round.

Should I bring this up?

Back on tumblr, a different artist actually asked for critique. When I said I'm not completely sure why I prefer your older work, but they were more accurate. Their response to that was dismissive.

 

[Suguri]

I am a believer in constructive criticism, so I would. Just be nice about it. While it is helpful, not everyone is going to react to it well, perhaps because of past negative experiences with criticism in general.

 

[-Blue-]

It really depends. If they're asking for it, then yes, but if they aren't actually asking I'd advise against it. I don't personally know the artist you're referring to, but the eye shapes are a matter of your preference/taste and not so much their skill level.

 

[Yanrima~]

If you're basically uploading art on the internet where everyone can see, prepare for critiques.

Critiques especially constructive ones helped in improving further on your work. You can take the option to not to do exactly what the person critiqing asks for, but it helps if you take their advice to heart. Critiques help out especially when you choose art as a career or do art professionally.

Critiques are important in other fields such as business management, game development, engineering, and computer programming. Without criticism, things will never improve. In game development, feedback and critique are the strongest suit to pushing forward and improve the technical terms.

 

[.: Meri :.]

I'm leaning towards "no" on this one, because what you're describing sounds more like a matter of style preference instead of technical skill.
I've seen before/after art comparisons where I absolutely preferred the before—for example, going from semi-realism to cartoony/exaggerated—but voicing that wouldn't be constructive if they weren't going for semi-realism, and instead they were aiming for a Bratz doll-esque look. Constructive critique would be giving them pointers on how they could get closer to achieving the Bratz look, or pointing out a technical anatomy error (like a hand being on backwards or something). But it'd be unhelpful of me to critique the impossibly tiny waist or yassified face when those were deliberate choices on their part.

Now if they're actually saying that they also like their older work better, it may be worth pointing out! Or if they're unsatisfied with how their current eyes look specifically. Because sometimes you can just kinda... forget how to draw something, especially if it's been a while. I've certainly looked at older things I've drawn and thought "oh wow, I did that better back then" and then tried to relearn it from there.

 

[pancake2]

I think the best general rule for critiques is that they should only be given when asked for. I disagree that the act of putting something on the internet is inherently asking for critique. When I post something I’ve spent time on, I am not asking random people for critique. I am sharing something that I am generally pretty proud of, and consider finished, and someone being like “actually I think you should draw the eyes like this” would feel uncalled for and kind of rude. However, if I posted something and said I thought it looked weird to me and wanted help improving it, then I’ve asked for critique and it’s welcome. Or if someone posts in a specific forum/group/etc that is intended for critique. Maybe if this is someone you regularly speak with, and they’re talking about how they want to improve more, you could ask if they’d like critique, but I don’t think I would do this with a stranger even if they said something more vague like that.

 

[xSuperMario64x]

always, always ask first of they're open to advice or critiques. I've always found that I really don't like when people give unsolicited advice in any area of my life, not just art. and I'm sure that many people can agree with me. it's just common courtesy.

 

[Chris]

I wouldn't. If they've changed an aspect of their style it is because they prefer it. Criticising a stylistic change like that isn't constructive.

 

[StarlitGlitch]

I wouldn't either. I think that comes down more to style preference rather than improving overall. They probably mean something broader.

 

[Snek]

Critique is good. Without critique an artist will have difficulty to improve. This goes with any artistic or creative field, like drawing, writing, acting, etc. I know sometimes it may feel difficult to accept genuine criticism when you receive it but it is usually very helpful. I have received criticism many times. Its really up to the artist though to take the critique or to ignore it. It doesn't really matter to me if they disregard it. I would only offer it if it would help them improve in any way.

 

[Rosch]

As an artist myself, critique is welcome as long as it's constructive. I know not everyone will be pleased with what I do so I still appreciate negative feedback regardless.

Voicing your critique is fine since it's a subjective opinion. It is up to the artist if they will use it to improve themselves or not. If they come off as dismissive, then I guess you just get used to it, or move on. This is outside of your control.

 

[Millysaurusrexjr]

So I used to give unsolicited art critique and I really really regret it. Idk why I ever did it or why I thought it was okay to do.

I think unsolicited criticism (even if it's purely constructive criticism with the best of intentions) is just downright rude. Doesn't matter if it's posted publicly on the internet, that doesn't make it okay in my opinion. Lots of people do art just because they enjoy it, and want to share it, and they aren't looking to be the best artist they can be as soon as possible. And that's fine.

Constructive criticism is definitely important when it comes to improving as an artist but I don't think that means every single thing an artist makes and posts needs to be critiqued. Not every single drawing needs to be perfect, or realistic, or whatever..

..I'm probably rambling at this point, but anyway, I think it's best to wait for when the artist is directly asking their audience for critique. Or, if you really want, ask them if they are open to constructive criticism.

 

[skarmoury]

In my opinion, ask before giving any sort of critique on art.

Not every artist has the same goal or same reason for drawing art. Some go professional, others do it as a hobby. Some want to improve fast, and others like where they are right now. I absolutely disagree that anything put out there should be subject to criticism, especially if it's simply a hobby that you want to take your time on. If someone critiqued my art (that I did for myself) without me asking, I'd be pretty annoyed, because I am doing this simply to make myself happy, or as an outlet for things I don't know how to verbalize. If it's a commission I do get it, but there are nuances to that too, e.g. you can't complain if you wanted semi-realistic artstyle yet you commission someone who does cartoon-esque drawings. You're allowed to critique to an extent, but manage your expectations as well especially when the artist lays everything down.

I actually used to have the mindset that everything should be critiqued, but I talked to an artist back then who explained to me how he would get annoyed getting unsolicited advice, because he wasn't looking for improvement, he was just doing art as a hobby. And that kinda changed my perspective about the whole thing.

As for your specific case, unless the artist asks for criticism, I don't think you should say anything. If they say they aren't improving fast enough, are they simply venting, or are they asking others for comments? Plus what you're describing may be more of an art style change which is more of preference rather than improvement. I generally think comments on improvement concern shading & coloring, body flow expression, etc. more than just changing eye shape.

 

[Airysuit]

Yeah but only if they ask for it!

 

[Zinnia.]

i'd say go for it since they asked and it sounds like the feedback would be of use to them. just be sure to be nice about it and in the future ask beforehand if they haven't given permission already.

 

[MrBox]

I think a lot of artists feel like they're not improving fast enough but that just goes to show that they are improving! They probably said that as a scream of frustration.

However in regards to the question, I'd say no. They didn't ask for it and might just get offended and/or weirded out. Even if they were asking for critique- I'd probably word you preferring almond eyes vs round eyes in a way where the artist knows it's your personal preference rather than a skill issue. But even then, honestly- it's a bit hard to give critique when you don't know what they want to improve on. It could be composition, colors, character proportions , backgrounds , expressions, hair... .. yeah, it can literally be anything!