This critique tutorial was written by E-chan on NeonDragonArt's previous forums. A big thanks to Echan.First off, harsh critiques are OK.
If you don't want harsh critiques just say so in your post ("please, no harsh critiques" or "no critiquing please").Here are Neon's examples that she sent me when I became a moderator:
NeonDragon wrote:
Critiques pointing out flaws in artwork are acceptable, insults are not.
Example of a polite critique: Your figure could use a little bit more work. The right hand's fingers are a little small and too pudgy for a human hand. The clothing looks a little off as well. Perhaps if you tried referencing some drapery?
Example of a harsh, but acceptable critique: Your person really needs some work. The hand to the right is all off and looks more paw-like then human, and your folds are impossible. Try looking at some reference next time!
Example of an insult: Your person sucks. It just hurts my eyes and that clothing is hideous.
If someone gives you some harsh critique and you weren't expecting it, just take it in stride or ignore it, but don't start any drama. If you got critiques that you think are unacceptable, the first thing you should do is PM one of the art mods. That's CrowbarTK_Hullo, Andantonius, Super_80s_Demon, Pargile, and Lhune. We're here to help :3
That said, lets get this tutorial thing started!
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Here's the pic:
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AN EXAMPLE OF GOOD CRITIQUE:Manamaraya wrote:
The pose and character is quite nice, but there are a few anatomy errors I think I should point out to you:
Redlines!
Now, the biggest thing I want to bring to your attention, is that you tend to elongate everything it seems. I'm not sure if this is part of your style or not, but the point is it doesn't look right. Now remember this: no matter what your 'style' is, if it doesn't look right to the viewers, you should probably tweak it up a bit <3
Note when you look in the mirror--that when you rest your arms flat against your body, your elbows meet near the bottom of your ribcage. Here, you had them meeting his hips :0!
And in scale with his head--his torso was also a bit too long--and his shoulder blades were a bit bigger than they probably should have been. And this is probably what caused you to make the legs longer as well. The best advice I have for you on this--is to pick up an anatomy book and learn realistic proportions. Do some figure studies--and make the effort to really grasp the real human figure before you try 'stylizing' things. I promise you it will work much better for ya : )
But you've definitely got some skill! I absolutely adore how you did his face! So sweet and delicate <3 excellent facial proportions. The little details in his pants are great too! This has some awesome potential and I do hope to see it colored! :3 Great stuff so far, hope to see more from you! : D NOTE: When you are going to do some 'harsh' critiquing--please remember to say something equally nice as well! Make it a healthy, balanced critique--so that if/when the artist
does snap at you, you can honestly say, "I didn't say it was bad! look at the nice things I said too, man!" And--it's just polite, you know?
MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT when you offer critique--and if you
are guessing, let them know, "this is just what I personally think"
Don't go out of your way to sound like an art critiquing nazi.
But at the same time, artists--when posting a peice of art, don't sound like you think you're the greatest thing since picasso either. It only inspires the critiquing nazi.
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AN EXAMPLE OF A BAD CRITIQUEChildOfShadow wrote:
First off, the torso is WAY too long and the head is waayy too short! It looks like his body's been stretched!! The hair line is really really weird. I dunno what the hell you did, but it's really messing up the look of his face, which by the way, needs a bit of tweaking.
the point where his neck ends bugs me too. Necks don't just "disappear". Maybe in your world, but not reality. There needs to be something behind the ear.
His a$$ needs some work. It looks like he pooped his pants or something. GIVE HIM DEFINITION! For gods sake! Am I the ONLY one who knows what good art looks like?! GOOD GOD!
If I wasn't here you people would NEVER get good!
And before I'm done, I want you to know that the trees suck. Trees have knots. Get some pictures and draw them again for goodness sakes. and detail NEVER hurts.
NOTES - WHAT MAKES THIS A BAD CRITIQUE?-There was nothing positive said at all. Not even "I know you can improve if you practice"
-The negative comments were phrased in an insulting way. It's fine to critique something, but don't insult the artist in the process.
-Try not to 'shout'. CAPS LOCK, multiple exclamation marks and question marks, etc. all make you sound angry and insulting, even if you don't mean it.
-If you think something needs to be fixed, try to give advice on how to fix it. Red Pen is a good way to illustrate your points when you critique.
-Don't insist on your own superiority. It's insulting to the other users, and it doesn't make you look good. No one's perfect, so don't pretend you are.
-Don't swear. If the forum edits it out, it should be in your post in the first place.
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AN EXAMPLE OF A BAD RESPONSE TO GOOD CRITIQUEQuote:
WTF?!? Just because you don't like the "enlongated" torso doesn't mean it's wrong! And for you're information, I'm just in high school! I've only been drawing for a few years and I've never had a figure drawing class! The long torso and legs are my style, and just because you don't like it doesn't mean you can tell me what to change. Just because I want to stylize something doesn't make it wrong, ok?
and wtf's with the red lines? I didn't ask for you to draw all over my pic! I said I want critique, not a new picture! You totally changed the pose and the attitude that I wanted. Just because you've been here longer than me doesn't mean you have the right to tell me how my pic should look. You probably just made that crap up as you went along anyway.
NOTES -- WHAT NOT TO DO-this response is emotional and pointless. If you dissagree, that's fine, but at least say it in a calm, non-insulting way.
-Don't 'yell' at the critiquer.
-Don't swear.
AN EXAMPLE OF A GOOD RESPONSE TO GOOD CRITIQUEQuote:
I wasn't really expecting the Red Pen corrections, but thanks anyway
I see what you mean about the skull structure and the long shoulder blades, I'll try to fix that.
About the arms: I know what you mean when you say they should hit the rib cage, but my intention was that he is leaning to the right as he turns towards the viewer, so his right arm appears to fall lower down, hence it falls around hip level. I think what makes this pic look odd is that I made the left arm just as long -- and that one should be even higher than his ribs to compensate for the tilt of his shoulders! I think changing the left arm will sort that out...
I know the torso length isn't perfect, and I should probably look at some anatomy books, but for this pic I kinda like it that long >,> I agree that even for this torso, the legs are too big/long. I think I made the butt too long which didn't help matters (I can't draw butts to save my life xD)
I'm glad you like the face ^^ I've been having a hard time getting this character down, and I think I'm finally starting to get a feel for how to draw him more consistently :3
NOTES - WHY IS THIS GOOD?-even if you don't want part of the critique (like the red pen) don't yell about it, just say thanks and continue on your way.
-concede to your mistakes. Sometimes it's hard, especially if you really like the pic you drew, but saying "yeah, I need to fix that" and then doing so is what will help you improve, and that's what critiques are for, after all!
-if you dissaggree with a critique, try to explain why you dissagree, or why you think your version is correct.
HOW TO REPLY TO A BAD CRITIQUESometimes bad crits happen. Responding to one calmly can be hard, because you can easily be drawn into a shouting match or an insult war, but it's not impossible! Just try to reply as if the person had been polite, or if you have to, ignore them.
A GOOD RESPONSE TO BAD CRITIQUEQuote:
I think I get what you mean about the torso being "stretched", I'll try to fix that.
I'm not sure what you think is wrong with the butt. Do you think you could give me some red pen or something?
I know the trees aren't detailed here. I was planning on detailing them when I colored.
NOTES-If you respond, be polite. Even if it's icy and maybe secretly sarcastic, it's better than yelling back.
A BAD RESPONSE TO BAD CRITIQUEQuote:
ok, insulting me isn't going to get you anywhere! Just because I'm not perfect doesn't mean you can bash my picture. You aren't perfect either!!
If you don't like the hairline, you can go f*** off, that's how his hair grows. And the torso is long, but that's my style! You can't go saying your style is the only good one.
And before I'm done, I did use references for the trees! I'm doing my best here, don't be such a b!tch.
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NOTES-Don't get caught in a shouting match. If you absolutely can't reply nicely, don't reply.
-If they insult you, don't insult them back. You'll both get in trouble that way.
-Again, don't swear please
Finally, if someone gives a bad critique, or responds poorly to a critique, DON'T get caught up in a shouting match.
If you think someone's way out of line,
PM a moderator of the art forums and they will take care of it.
If you really can't stand letting it go,
PM the author of the post instead of posting on the public thread.
So I hope that clears a few things up. Go critique, and if you have any problems, the PM system is your friend :3
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