Here is a two-fold guide for deviants wishing to receive critique as well as deviants who want to give constructive critiques.

A Note to Non-subscribers
You're allowed to give and receive critique, too! The system for subscribers that dA has put in place is flashy, sure, but it doesn't alter the content of a quality critique. Comments have worked just fine for many years. I see no reason why you should stop using the tried and trusted system just because something new has come along. Now, onto the article!

Make Sure the Feeling's Mutual

Some people don't give critiques. Some people don't want critiques. That's okay. Being a member of dA does not precondition you to the critique-crowd.

However, if you do want to be a critique-groupie, make sure the artist you're giving critique to actually wants it. If the critique option is not enabled, or there's no request for critique in the comments, chances are critique is unwanted. If there's something you really, really want to see improved in the piece, and there's no request for critique, you can leave a comment asking if you can make a suggestion or note the deviant with your ideas. Keep it respectful and professional.

As for asking specific deviants for critique, I'd strongly suggest doing so by note. The deviant you make a request to will feel less pressured to accept if the request is made privately, which is just politer all around. Remember that many people have a life outside of dA (shocking, I know) and have to prioritize. Critique may not be on their agenda, and asking for it publicly could lead to a public denial which could be uncomfortable. A better option is to sign up with one of the many critique-oriented clubs popping up on dA, such as *devCRIT.

Critique Requests

Writing "critique please" in your comments or enabling the critique feature is not enough to make me stop and give you some pointers. Think about walking into a writer's workshop, tossing your poem into the fray, and then sitting in a dark corner hoping someone will tell you how to make your piece publishable. You're not going to get very far with that method, and that's the same method I see many artists use to request critique here on dA.

A good critique request includes the parts of your art you're insecure about and want help improving. This gives potential critiquers a platform from which to analyze your work. It also shows other deviants that you are serious about wanting to improve, and therefore you'll take their criticism with grace.

It is extremely important that before you consider asking for critique, your ego is shoved into its cage. If you don't think you can handle someone nit-picking at your piece, you're not ready for a quality critique. It is equally important to realize that just because someone's made the suggestion, doesn't mean you have to follow it.

Art is subjective, so what one person absolutely adores about your piece, someone else may loath. As the artist, it is up to you to call the shots. Strong art reflects an artist who knows what message he or she is trying to send into the world. Don't lose that message to your critiquers.

Giving Quality Critiques

Okay, so you've made sure the deviant wants critique on a specific deviation. Hopefully, the artist has also mentioned a few areas that he or she knows needs improvement. You're now ready to give a quality critique. The following is just my method for giving critique. By no means is it the only or the best way, but it's worked pretty well for me so far so I thought I'd share.

I like to keep things positive, so I try to start every critique by mentioning at least one strength in the piece. It could be as simple as having made me think about something or a certain aspect catching my eye immediately. When someone asks for critique, they're not usually prepared to have their work ripped to pieces and handed back still smoldering. The criticisms you have to offer are valuable, but they'll come across much smoother if you start on a light note.

Keeping with the positive theme, I usually follow a 2:1 ratio. For every two improvements I mention, I try to find one strength. Something few people consider when giving critique is that artists, and especially beginning artists, don't know their stengths any more than they know their weaknesses. It's important to know what skills you already possess so that you can build on them. A quality critique, therefore, reveals to the artist both the blemishes and the perfections in his or her piece.

When you do find elements that need improvement, try to explain in specifics the ways the artist can better their piece. I'm a writer, so when I give critiques I highlight specific sections of the author's work that could use a touch-up and give an example of the ways I would improve that area. Now that does not mean the author must use my example, but it is easier for him or her to understand the principle I'm trying to communicate.

Lastly, if your critique is rather lengthy, it's nice to summarize at the end with a list of the improvements and strengths you highlighted in more detail earlier. It's like writing an essay - introduction, body, conclusion.

Some Not-So-Common Sense

In a utopian dA, everyone who asked for critique would really want it, and everyone who gave critique would really want to help the artist improve. However, the people on dA are human and thus don't follow this pattern.

If you receive a critique you feel is unfair, don't accept it. (If you're a non-subscriber you can hide the comment.) You can talk with the deviant who gave the critique via note if you feel the need, but don't give in to the temptation to defend yourself in comments against what you perceive to be a harsh review. Remember that art is subjective and that you're the one in charge of your art. If someone has a problem with that, it's too bad for him or her.

Likewise, if you give a critique that isn't received well, shrug it off. Don't get into an argument with someone who clearly didn't actually want feedback in the first place. It is a waste of your time, which could be spent helping someone who actually wants it.

And one last no-duh point -- don't critique in a medium you know little or nothing about. If you've never picked up a paintbrush in your life, it's probably not a good idea to try to critique someone's oil painting. You'll only make a fool of yourself trying.

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Questions? Disagreements? Praise? Comment!
I want to foster discussion about critique in the dA community.


Lili