Who Wants To Start A Small Art Critique Group?

isami · Very bored Joined: 31 Dec 1969 Posts: 117

This is something me and my fellow classmates often did in art class while our projects were in-progress. And they have something like this at mediaminer and I was thinking it would be fun to try it out here. ( http://forum.mediaminer.org/index.php?t=ms...start=0&rid=560 this is their main thread explaining what they do and rules)

Basically, we get about four or five people with a little more experience in art than others to give suggestions and constructive criticism to artists who are looking for ways to improve their works. I think the guys over at mm are a little harsh about it, so I definitely think thats something we should do differently. But before making conclusive rules, I just want to see if there are people out there who want to join me. I wont do it alone, but if I can get at least one other person, Im game. X3

There arent any real qualifications for a team, I guess. I sure as hell know Im not amazing in any way. But I have taken 4 years worth of art classes in high school (including an art critique section ^^) and Im going to college for art, so I have a pretty good idea of how to go about doing stuff like this. So Im looking more for experience than talent.
Also, looking for people who are willing to go ahead and draw examples to help out. Like, if someone draws a person whos not proportioned, Id go in and draw one of those 7 head samples to give an idea.

So, whos up for it? ^^
As soon as I get a few comrades, we can start a thread to make up some rules and information.

Thanks for reading
-Isa

HeavenlyKunoichi · Very bored Joined: 31 Dec 1969 Posts: 182

I don't think that is a good idea, people here are too sensitive and don't take criticism well even when you are trying to help them. at gamefaqs.com the messgae boards for art the people there are harsh too and then all these kids bitch about it.

isami · Very bored Joined: 31 Dec 1969 Posts: 117

I understand your concerns completely, Kunoichi. That situation certainly is something I want to avoid. But, it's like what Shadow said. The people who hopefully will submit their art will be aware that we're here to critique and suggest what can be improved. Nobody is perfect, i'm sure they know that. Heck, I'll be submitting my own stuff for critque, as well.
And I'm going to make sure anybody who joins this team will not be out to flame or offend. That's really important to me personally and I wouldn't let it happen to anyone else. ^^

So Shadow, you'll be joining? X3

Stratadrake · Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 12:06 pm Post subject:

The closest things I have to qualifications are:

- 3 years of Art in H.S. Got straight C's due to not using my sketchbook enough. Had fun, but didn't have any specific area of interest during H.S. either.
- 2 years of Art History classes (once for credit, twice for fun) in college. Easy class because the instructor ran it like an "Intro to Art" class, e.g., combination of history lessons/quizzes and class projects (varying styles and mediums). Easy A.
- 2 Creative Writing: Fiction classes in college. Learned how to critique things in a group environment.

When I give a comment, I always try to pick out something that the person did well, as well as something that I think they should work on improving.
_________________
Strata here: [url=http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/user/242293]Nanowrimo[/url] - [url=www.fanart-central.net/user-Stratadrake.php]FAC[/url] - [url=http://stratadrake.deviantart.com]dA[/url] - [url=www.furaffinity.net/user/Stratadrake/]FA[/url]
[size=9]Disclaimer: Posts may contain URLs. Click [url=http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TVTropesWillRuinYourLife]at your own risk.[/url][/size]

fallenangel · Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 1:57 pm Post subject:

Might I suggest you also try to find team members who specialize in different things? 'Cause if someone wants help on their realistic drawing of their cat, but all the team members specialize in anime, the advice has far as [i]how[/i] to fix something could suffer. Good idea, though.
_________________
"I care about people as much as I care about lawn furniture" - Dexter/Michael C. Hall

Lexar · Forum Stalker Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 1129

Maybe I'll join. I had some art critic classes, and lately I ran the first rounds of FAC Idols. I'd have to think about it a little though.

Stratadrake · Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 3:37 pm Post subject:

I don't have much in the way of specialties . . . at least I don't [i]think[/i] I do . . . and I don't care for anime. I prefer to draw my own critters, such as dragons, feathery and furry species. I'm no star but I can give pointers on such practical matters as the physiology/design of critters. Small example: A tail, being part of the spine, connects at the hips and not at the waist.
_________________
Strata here: [url=http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/user/242293]Nanowrimo[/url] - [url=www.fanart-central.net/user-Stratadrake.php]FAC[/url] - [url=http://stratadrake.deviantart.com]dA[/url] - [url=www.furaffinity.net/user/Stratadrake/]FA[/url]
[size=9]Disclaimer: Posts may contain URLs. Click [url=http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TVTropesWillRuinYourLife]at your own risk.[/url][/size]

isami · Very bored Joined: 31 Dec 1969 Posts: 117

Strata: awesome, you're totally on. ^^ I like what you mentioned about commenting on both the positive aspects and things that can be improved. That's what I'm going for.
Shadow: Nah, I think you'd be great at it. Experience is a plus, but it takes all kinds. I think you've got a good eye for this sort of thing and I'd like to have you on the team. ^^
Fallen: Good point. That'll be a bit rougher. I might have to do some recruiting, then.... Hmm. Hey, you're really good at real-life portraits and stuff. ^^;;;;
Lexar: Oh yeah, I wanted to do that Idol thing but I missed the first part. X__x O well, let me know the next time you start it. Hope you decide to help out. i'm sure things'll be slow at first, and you can join any time. Doesn't have to be right away. ^^
Thanks everyone, for your suggestions and conciderations!
-Isa

Stratadrake · Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 3:51 pm Post subject:

One idea that came to mind, what if there was a Critiquing contest? Like, pick an image almost at random and ask people to think up their best (constructive) crits for it.

As 'qualifications' go, I suppose we can/could also give examples of crits we've given, not just what prior experience we've had....
_________________
Strata here: [url=http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/user/242293]Nanowrimo[/url] - [url=www.fanart-central.net/user-Stratadrake.php]FAC[/url] - [url=http://stratadrake.deviantart.com]dA[/url] - [url=www.furaffinity.net/user/Stratadrake/]FA[/url]
[size=9]Disclaimer: Posts may contain URLs. Click [url=http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TVTropesWillRuinYourLife]at your own risk.[/url][/size]

fallenangel · Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 4:00 pm Post subject:

Hey, if you get any realism people entries, I'm in.

As far as examples of crits, I think anyone who joins this should [i]definitely[/i] browse through the archives HERE. Excellent excellent crits from very talented artists. They're not too harsh at all and have always been very good in pointing out the positives along with areas that need work. (Just never y'all mind that there's a very old picture of mine there. Should've submitted a newer one at the time, but I was feeling lazy. I need to redo that one 'cause I really like the original of it...and C.C. deserves better)
_________________
"I care about people as much as I care about lawn furniture" - Dexter/Michael C. Hall

ragingflea002 · Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 4:55 pm Post subject:

I'd be in for realism, but Fallen has some of the best artwork I've seen.
But I do know enough about it to give some sage advice. At least, I hope so.
_________________
Not all who wander are lost.
"The separation between spirit and logic is reasonable because spirit is defined by faith and logic forces others to think about what they have faith in."

Lexar · Forum Stalker Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 1129

I'd do the lineart, backgrounds, kind of thing. You know, perspective, proportions, details etc.

fallenangel · Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 5:09 pm Post subject:

How were you planning to do this? Forum thread? I can sticky one if you like, or could make a separate subforum so each piece could have its own thread. Separate single thread for people to submit a piece to? Limit like one every 2 weeks?
_________________
"I care about people as much as I care about lawn furniture" - Dexter/Michael C. Hall

isami · Very bored Joined: 31 Dec 1969 Posts: 117

Hmm. Well, if a sub-forum is possible, that'd be great. It would help with keeping things organized. That way, we can have rules and info and stuff. And longer, detailed critiques, too, instead of limiting ourselves to comments.
If it's too much trouble, though, a thread'll be just fine. ^^ Thanks so much, this is great.

So... does this sound good so far?:

[b]General[/b]
-Isami
-StrataDrake

[b]Realism[/b]
-Fallen
-RagingFlee

[b]Technique/Details[/b] (is this a good name for it? Not sure. X3)
-Lexar

And waiting on Shadow's reply. That site you suggested, fallen, is extremely helpful. The reviews there are really good and exactly what I was thinking. Good stuff. X3

fallenangel · Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 5:59 pm Post subject:

Yep, subforum's no trouble at all. I'll set that up in a minute. Smile

_________________
"I care about people as much as I care about lawn furniture" - Dexter/Michael C. Hall

fallenangel · Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 6:09 pm Post subject:

There ya go. It's now a subforum of the Art Help forum. Go ahead and make a general intro post with all the rules and description in it, and I'll pin it when you're finished. Smile

_________________
"I care about people as much as I care about lawn furniture" - Dexter/Michael C. Hall

DG-sama · Moderator Joined: 31 Dec 1969 Posts: 2294

I'd love to help out ^^ I took three years of art in highschool which taught me the general basics about what to look for as of form and composition and such. I also took one college course on watercolors, so I know about watercolors? Heh. I also have run and judged a couple of contests here as well (one of which just ended).

I'd probably be best For general stuff, but more specifically color done in traditional medias (which is almost solely what I work with). I tend to experiment a lot with different techniques in things like watercolors and prismacolor pencils, so I could probably offer a lot of tips involving those kinds of medias.
_________________
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/DG-sama/avatars/kingsig.jpg[/img]

God damn you signature WORK!

isami · Very bored Joined: 31 Dec 1969 Posts: 117

Alrighty, I posted a preliminary rules & guildlines thread along with the members thus far. (Thanks, fallenangel, so much for the sub-thread X3)

http://www.fanart-central.net/forums/index...=ST&f=27&t=2597

Please, throw your suggestions and any alterations you guys think I should make/add.

DG, check out the list I have of different *specialties* and pick one you think you'd fit in to.

Also, I think I'll limit the members to... hmm. 8? or 10? For now as we start to get the ball rolling.

So check that out. And thanks again!
-Isa

PS I'm out for the night, so I'll check back tommorrow morn and see the updates.

Lasher · Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 9:40 pm Post subject:

Wait! You mean you guys are actually going to give real comments? With real critism? WTF?

HEY! You all got my vote that's for sure. I'm so sick of the same "kewl!" "Cute!" "Adds to Favs!" Bullshit. It's so utterly boring.

You should get people for paintings and cartoons. Not just anime and realism Razz

I really love it when you find people who know how to give some real constructive critism and tips and suggestions. So many people on here don't do that, or not how to without coming off as complete jackasses <_< And try and give them some and they freak out. Quite annoying really.

Which reminds me, i have some deleting to do in my gallery. Until later. Great idea. I support the people who are involved as well. Good choices you have going there.

layzcarter · I used to work here Joined: 31 Dec 1969 Posts: 3988

I know what you are sayn.. i like the way they do it at media minder... although i hate that site....... but yeah..

I'll help out .. if i'm needed.

I did all the art classes in highschool.. up to grade 12. And I've been drawing since I was 12.. although I didn't really start trying up until a few years ago...

I'd mainly be general and realism... as that is what i am workn on at the moment Wink

_________________
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/gellypen/spearslut.png[/img]