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Home Unlabelled Art, Writing, and Criticism part 3

Art, Writing, and Criticism part 3
 Hey everyone! And welcome to the last part in Art, Writing, and Criticism. So far we have looked at:

Art; how anyone can do it if they put in the time and effort.

Writing; how when we write we are in a fight for our reader’s attention.

But now we will be turning our attention to Criticism.

Is that something we even need? After all, the only thing Criticism does is point out where we messed up right?

Well if you feel that pull to create something, that God-given drive to pursue something. Then Criticism is something you’re going to need.

But why is that?

Well because without criticism we can’t get any better. I’m not talking about the criticism that goes “You’re—fill in the black—stinks so just give up.” That’s not a criticism, or at least not the kind of criticism I’m talking about. The kind of criticism I’m talking about is that person that will give you honest feedback. That person that will say “Will you need to work on here, and here, and here.”

We all need criticism, whether you’re an artist or writer you need criticism. Now I’m going to be straight with you. I’m not all that talented when it comes to writing or drawing. I’m not being humble or looking for someone to say “no you are”. If you’ve read this blog for any length of time (or even this post) you’ll see I’m not that great at catching typos, or sentences that don't make any sense. Honestly, I’m amazed people actually read my post. And the same goes for my art. I’m not bad but not good, I still have trouble with hands, feet, proper proportions, and faces. My writing and drawing have only gotten a little better after I listened to those who where giving me criticism.

And yes, I know, it’s never fun to be told where you mess up, or where you still need work. But if we want to become better that’s the only way. How does the soccer player get better? By listening to his coach's criticisms. How does the violinist, the artist, the gymnast, the horseback rider get better? It’s not from being told that they are amazing and don’t have anywhere to improve. In fact, they can only get better when their flaws are pointed out to them. So they can improve those areas.

And that’s why criticism is so valuable. That’s why you send out bate reader calls right? because you want your story to be great. And you know others can catch things you can't. Though I usually see people asking for “opinions” and not for “criticism” there is difference after all.

An “Opinion” is based on someone’s personal preference. While “Criticism” is based off an analysis and judgment of the martial. Basically, it’s someone telling it to you straight. People like that are hard to find. It's hard to find those straight shooters. We got the people that are more than willing to tell us it stinks, and we also got people who just seem to “love” everything.

If God has placed that desire to write, or draw, or to do anything really. Then you’re ready for criticism. Without that desire, that drive, given to you then you’ll most likely end up dropping whatever it is because you can’t handle that your flaws, or where you mess up, is being pointed out.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to find someone, whether that be a bate-reader or someone you show your art to, that is willing to give you honest criticism. They are valuable people. Because they can set their feelings, for both you and your work, aside to tell you what you need to hear. I’ve found a person like that, and let me tell you I don’t want to hear what she has to say regarding my work sometimes. I’m like “just tell me it’s good and that there is nothing that needs work”. But honestly I only get better when I listen. Criticism rightly given can help a ton because it shows you where you need improvement. So go find that person and become friends. There will be a time when you don’t want to hear what they have to say. But that's when you'll need it the most.

I don’t know about you but I’m aiming to be the best, to give it my all and level nothing behind. That I gave my absolute best. Do you care to join me on that quest? If the answer is yes, then let’s take that criticism in stride. Let’s find out our flaws and improve. So, that we can give God the praise for giving us these desires and the strength to see it through to the end. Because really all our desires, all our talents, everything about us come from Him.

As we come to the end of this min-series I hope you enjoyed reading it. Before I go I wanted to ask anyone who is willing if they could lend me a hand. See I want to get better at drawing and digital art. The only way to do that is by practicing. But here is the thing, when drawing you need ideas. I don't have those all the time, and I don't want to just draw superheroes all the time either. So, under you’ll find a picture with a list of numbers (idea for this and first 12 numbers taken from dee.draws) if you can think of a character you would like to see me draw, could you comment their name and the number you would like to see them in. That would be great and a big help for a guy who sometimes has no ideas of what to draw. And until next time, Stay True to the King!
(I will only take the suggestion that are modest. Any kind of suggestions that is inappropriate will not be taken and will most likely be deleted)
Posted by Marrok MacIntyre at 12:00 AM