‘Tis the season of giving
… Illustration reviews and free wallpapers
Giving and receiving feedback on illustrations can be quite daunting!
This months illoguild question is “How do you review an illustration?”
I am going to give tips from my own experience over the last few years.
As a member of the Illoguild (an international group of illustrators), I have been giving and receiving critiques every two weeks, over zoom, and daily, on-line . I have also attended many paid review sessions and have been a member of various Facebook review groups.
The first time I was asked to give feedback, I was in awe of the illustration and was totally tongue tied. I didn’t have anything constructive to say and felt that I didn’t help the artist at all… but I’ve picked up some things along the way and would love to share them.
Tips on Giving feedback
Understand the intention and purpose of the illustration
Understand what feedback the artist is asking for. For example, are they after help on the composition, concept or technical elements?
Be encouraging and postive!
Find something that you like about the piece, whilst always being honest. You can even reward effort.
Allow room for the illustrators personal taste and style.
Use methods like - “The sandwich”, “a wow and a now” or “change one thing”
Focus on the big picture and don’t nitpick, unless something is specifically out of place… last week I noticed an ear growing out of the neck - it was my own illustration. 😅
Be specific. Saying things like “something is not right”, doesn’t give the illustrator anything to grasp or move forward with.
Don’t give unsolicited negative feedback.
If you have nothing to point out- that’s ok too.
Tips on Receiving Critique
Always thank the reviewer for their feedback.
Listen, without arguing, and only clarify something if it’s absolutely necessary.
Write it down or record it, so that you can revisit it at a later stage and possibly review it with a colleague.
Keep an open mind.
Disregard it if it is rude and disrespectful, however sometimes hurtful feedback still has merit. Give it time to digest before you reflect on it.
Try to understand the reviewers intentions and point of view. Very rarely, the reviewer may not have your best interest at heart or be having a bad day.
General Tips
It’s best to find people that you trust to review your work. This can be built up over time - its great to join a critique group that meets regularly.
Sometimes just having an extra pair of eyes is brilliant. The reviewer doesn’t need to be an illustrator or art director - I love asking my family for a gut feel/ common sense check.
I also learnt a lot from listening to the “Working” podcast on Slate about “Giving Constructive Feedback”
When working with clients and publishers, I aim to get feedback right at the concept stage. I feel that it’s best to get feedback when it’s easy to make changes and it’s also a great way to set expectations.
Hope that this is helpful!
If you have tips for me or the other readers, please leave a comment.
Give Away! - free festive wallpapers
I love the festive season and wanted to give away these wallpapers to my readers.
You can download them from my website or check out my instagram for details.
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