David Creative

SketchBlog

Mind comic: Critical mass

15th April 2011

Areas: comics viewpoint

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It is wise to get the opinions of others on your artwork, but when you start to choose their opinions over yours the critical mass of their opinions begins to form the artwork not you.

For me I noticed this a few years ago where I was literally paralysed from creating anything. With each idea I would judge it against the comments of others and the work of my favourite artists. This in turn meant that I hardly followed any ideas through because I felt the idea would never be as good as another artist’s work or that others would ridicule it as foolish. For me the solution was to create a place where criticism was no longer relevant by simply following an idea for the fun of it. Through this approach I have found enormous creativity and more importantly who I am as an artist. You may think experimenting with ideas for the fun of it is not a practical business model, but let me explain: I would argue that the most valuable asset of any artist’s work is the artist himself or herself. Your unique character is the key factor that decides the path of each creation not your technique, materials or style. Therefore to know who you are as an artist and what you can create will make you a product that is easier to sell to potential clients and art directors. With each idea you play with you will find new pathways to communicate in both your commercial and personal work, but more importantly you will get to know and appreciate who you are as an artist. . © Copyright David McClelland 2011. All rights reserved

For me I noticed this a few years ago where I was literally paralysed from creating anything. With each idea I would judge it against the comments of others and the work of my favourite artists. This in turn meant that I hardly followed any ideas through because I felt the idea would never be as good as another artist’s work or that others would ridicule it as foolish.

For me the solution was to create a place where criticism was no longer relevant by simply following an idea for the fun of it. Through this approach I have found enormous creativity and more importantly who I am as an artist.

You may think experimenting with ideas for the fun of it is not a practical business model, but let me explain:

I would argue that the most valuable asset of any artist’s work is the artist himself or herself. Your unique character is the key factor that decides the path of each creation not your technique, materials or style.

Therefore to know who you are as an artist and what you can create will make you a product that is easier to sell to potential clients and art directors.

With each idea you play with you will find new pathways to communicate in both your commercial and personal work, but more importantly you will get to know and appreciate who you are as an artist.

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