Where am I?
So, a few weeks ago I drew a new picture;
I think this is a great piece. One of my best. Better than most of the pieces I have done before, she is dynamic in pose, the face is interesting, all kinds of cool stuff...
Then I post it to a comics site for feedback.
24 hours later, there are (Conspicuously) no replies to it (It's the only thread with no replies... all other threads have at least 3).
This morning I find one reply, "the left eye seems too far to the left of the face, it seems as though her face is pretty much straight on to the viewer so the face should just be a bit more symmetrical and proportioned,There needs to be more turn to the hips in her pose from the way she's positioned, and the hands could do with more time spent on them but with some changes it could be a really beautiful picture."
Oh... Well...
Of course, I used a photo as a reference, any eye or hip problems are due to the model, really... (I actually think it must be my shading that's causing an optical illusion).
Here's the thing; this is one of the first pieces of mine that I've been really, honestly proud of. I feel I have come a long way to get to this piece. I feel I have boosted my skills quite a bit...
And it's not even worth a reply from the American Comic folks... When it is, it gets ripped (The other posts don't get this kind of treatment... there are a lot of "Wow! That's incredible!" and "Great Inking!" and stuff like that with a little critique. Mine rates only one response, and it's a pretty hard critique)
So, the question is; Should I "Sour Grapes" this? (Aw, they just don't know good art when they see it) or do I need to get over myself and admit that what I think is good really isn't good, and I need to go back to the area I know I can do right (Manga - style comics)?
I think the thing that is the most frustrating is that I thought this was my BEST piece so far... and obviously I can't seem to judge my own work...
Hmph...
---Me
Labels: Art
posted by Aabh @ 7:00 AM
6 Comments:
Correct me if I am wrong, but it sounds to me like you posted this picture in the forum expecting it to be praised because it looked so good to you.
I always thought that showing your art to other artists was to get some constructive criticism. If all you want is some flattery, then you should be showing me all the pictures that you draw. I always think that everything you do is absolutely awesome.
Also, art is a very subjective thing. You got back a comment from _one_ other artist. And then, when you get the feedback, you choose to concentrate on the constructive comments, and view them in a negative light. Did you not see at the end of his comment, the critique stated that it could be a really beautiful picture. Not just a good or pretty or even just beautiful picture. He said a _really_ beautiful picture.
We must have been friends for too long now, Guy, because I am obviously rubbing off on you. Remember when you kept telling me that I see the world too much in white and black, and that I need to inject a few shades of grey into my point of views... Maybe you can think a little about how that advice applies to you too here. :-)
And for what it is worth, _I_ think that it is a gorgeous picture. You have come a long way, and even someone as unartistic as me can see that.
-- Mal.
Actually, though there was a certain amount of "Hey, tell me I'm cool!" going on here, that wasn't the point...
The point was, I have posted pictures that I drew in an hour, didn't really like very much, and felt were among the worst of my pieces to this forum and gotten a ton of complements... Then I post this piece, which I think is a stunning achievement, and they post "You need to learn how to draw people, here's a tutorial" (That was the second response, that came after I posted)...
Being told that I need to go get a tutorial to learn how to draw people, of course, would be like telling you that you need to learn First Aid... it's actually rather insulting...
My point was; I think it's a lousy piece and everyone loves it. I think it's a great piece and people tell me I need to learn how to draw... What's up with that?
The rest of the whining was a bruised ego... but, like you, if someone had seen you work and said; "Dude, do you even know First Aid?", you'd be pretty bruised too... :)
And, your opinion does matter to me, and thank you for performing First Aid on my bruised ego... :)
How is it you've managed to be alive this long and not heard "Art is subjective?"
If you love it, COOL. Be happy.
If you want another opinion- I think it's nice. It's not stupendous, but it's nice and I think it looks profesional, which nothing I've ever done ever does, (and people have sometimes PAID me for things- lord knows why).
I think the art from one piece and dragonball is hideous. I think picasso's abstract stuff sucks. I think platform shoes are ugly. I don't like purple and green together.
All of the above have admirers though.
Sorry about your ego. *hug*
And I do think your work has come a long way, and I'm not just saying that (see honest opinion).
It's just opinions.
One constructive criticism...
I think the face is fine and I don't think it's asymetric.
However- the crotch is too low. I don't know what your model is wearing, but I just verified in a mirror and the crotch of my jeans with my hand out to the side is still a couple inches higher than my fingertips. Closer to wrist level than below the fingertips.
See, you know I'm a friend because... well nevermind, it just comes out more crude than funny.
Coming from a fellow artist AND an anatomy junkie...fuck'em. And here's why:
Many "comic" artists are not able to look at something that isn't perfectly symmetrical and be in love with it. They aren't able to conceptualize truly dynamic poses. That's why they are comics. They are an idealization of something portrayed horrifically 2D. Real life doesn't sit like that. And I can't tell you how many comic images I've seen with "wow that's perfect" compliments and have been utterly disgusted with them because "THAT ISN'T HOW THE BODY MOVES PEOPLE!!!"
I've found these sort of reactions often with my photography because I do not try to make things flashy or showy. I've already done it and its easy and boring. Its why I like grain and warping and vignetting...and negative space (YUM!)
My only complaint is that the image isn't larger. I'd like to understand if this is this the sort of position where the breasts would shift a bit to her left more or not. And I must agree with Sarah about the crotch, just not the level. I think it just looks like her pelvis is really long. Look at where the waist line is in the shirt and compare it to where the crotch itself sits.If its the shadowing, then its the shadowing in the pants that's throwing it off.
The face, however, is perfect. Period.
DO NOT give up on this. Its an excellent step in a very promising direction...imho.
I know that this wasn't your point, but I just wanted to point out that I did technically fail my first aid class. I kept picking the answers of what a health professional would do, whereas they were looking for what Average Joe would do. It wasn't until my instructor realized that I was a medical student that he cut me some slack and let me pass (since I *am* obligated to a higher standard of care).
:-)
-- Mal.
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