CRITIQUE WEEK

CRITIQUE WEEK:
Two Live Online Art Critiques Per Day

CRITIQUE SESSION GUIDELINES

• Critiques will be broadcast live (and recorded) via Zoom at 11am PT every day (May 4-8).

• There will be two critiques per day, lasting approx. 11-14 minutes each. Calls will be no longer than 30 minutes.

• Until May 2nd at 12pm PT, each participant may submit 2 pieces of artwork. Of all the images submitted, 2 pieces per day will be selected for critique on each day of Critique Week (May 4-8). Thus, 10 separate artists will receive critique.

• After the artwork submission deadline passes on May 2nd at 12pm PT; you can still enroll, attend and watch all of these informative, inspiring and education critique sessions.

• Artist must be present live to have their piece critiqued.

• If you are not able to attend live, recordings will be made available for viewing later by everyone who purchases CRITIQUE WEEK.

$10 total

• We're keeping the price affordable on purpose during these unprecedented times. Want to pay more? That would be awesome. Simply enter the amount you wish.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Do I have to submit art or can I just watch?

You do not have to submit art, but I encourage you to do so. Of course, you can just watch, learn and be entertained. You still have to sign up in order to have access to the critiques.

2. Do I have to show up live?

Yes & No.

Yes, if you want your work to be critiqued. You will be notified that your work has been selected so that you can attend live and ask any questions that you might have. If you are selected, you will be notified ahead of time as to what day your critique is.

No, you don't need to show up live if you are not planning to have your work critiqued.

All recordings will be made available for playback when it is more convenient for you to watch.

3. Do I have to attend every session?

No. You may come to as many live critiques as you can. There will be recorded playbacks for all critique sessions. Your enrollment fee covers all the critiques.

4. How many artists will receive critiques?

10 artists will be selected and there will be 2 critiques per day for the five days of Critique Week.

5. Does my face have to be shown on video?

No. It is your choice. You may share your video camera or not.

6. How will I be able to watch the critiques?

The critiques will be broadcast on Zoom. You will receive an email the morning of the critique with a link that will allow you access to the critique meeting room.

You will also receive access to the recorded playbacks so that you can watch them when it is convenient for you.

7. Will I be able to offer my feedback during the "live" critique sessions?

No. Only the artist who is being critiqued and myself will be able to talk and be heard. Everyone else will be muted.

8. When is the deadline to submit artwork?

You may submit artwork until May 2 at 12pm PT. Thereafter, you can still enroll, attend and watch all of these informative, inspiring and education critique sessions.

9. What are the days and times of the critiques?

Monday, May 4 - Friday, May 8 at 11am PT each day.

10. How long will each critique be?

Fifteen minutes or less. Therefore, each day's session will last no more than 30 minutes.

11. What is the cost to attend Critique Week?

$10 for the entire week including all 10 critiques. This is the cost whether you are submitting work or just watching. There is no extra charge to submit work for the possibility to be chosen for a critique.

Problems enrolling? Click here for assistance.

WHAT PAST CRITIQUED ARTISTS SAID

I love getting feedback from David. He's passionate, articulate, authentic, respectful, and speaks to ALL of the design principles. He's everything I had hoped my college professors in art school would have been. I learn so much from him!
Pamela R. Roberson, Critiqued Artist

I wanted to thank you again for all you insight and time spent critiquing my work… It was so nice to have something to look forward to in the troubling times! The experience allowed me to think deeply about my work. You were insightful and I am excited to create more meaningful pieces. 

I really appreciate your input! I am excited to get to work on some new stuff! Quarantine doesn’t seem so bad for an artist!

The critique was great and not the least bit threatening. David was very encouraging while offering constructive criticism and helpful suggestions for improving the work.

Thank you so much!
KJ, Critiqued Artist

 I want to thank you with all of my heart because for me this was a Master Class.

I appreciate tremendously the constructive review of my painting as I learned much from it and from the review of others. I now see a painting/art form differently.

In the past 3 years I have taken about 7 courses in drawing and painting, but I may have learned more from your course in 7 days.

You gave me tools that I will carry into my future art. Understanding structure and relationships in a piece adds to its strength. You made that very clear in your presentations,

Many thanks for this wonderful learning opportunity.
K.R.

Kudos to you guys for finding a way to get everybody together. I have so so enjoyed this, and I think the variety of work — the fact that there were so many insights and takeaways from every piece of work and your comments and feedback have been beyond insightful, David, so thank you.

WHAT PAST VIEWERS SAID

I am really enjoying the 30-minute format. I think the amount of information you share in that 30 minutes is a LOT! By the next day, I have processed the comments and can keep them in mind as you present the next two items.

The fact that we can go back and review makes it manageable - either way.

I can say that whatever you offer, I will want to participate! You are providing such a wonderful way for us to learn during this “quiet” time.

It’s been a fabulous week.

I'm looking forward to observing...as I said David is a wonderful artist/mentor and I find his insights informative and his approach encouraging and thoughtful.

I’d just started going to an open studio day on Mondays and then came social distancing. This is like a breath of fresh air. Seeing such a variety of wonderful art and David, your thoughtful critique and gentle guidance is inspiration to paint. 

Thank you!
Marcia Matson

This online format is brilliant!  As mentioned, it provides a nice distraction during a trying time.  I admire you, David, for finding a creative way to continue teaching during a time when you cannot hold your workshops.  Technology brings us together!  

I have always been too shy to sign up for a workshop, but this online format gives me great information about skill levels, style and your instructional advice.  Your first two critiques were beautifully done....positive and encouraging, while containing valuable suggestions. I think it will help my confidence and my technique to see the wide variety of pieces you will be critiquing.

Marilyn D.

That was a BLAST! Super excited about the whole thing. David was terrific. Bravo!

Subject: Really thanks!!!

This was wonderful! You and Jordan did a fabulous job and thanks for working out all the kinks. This was a great innovation and I look forward to more, and variations on the theme.

I'll watch tomorrow!

Subject: Critique Week Day 2 - another success

I’m enjoying Critique Week so much that I would like to send out the information to my (sculpture friends).

Carl Berney

Subject: Kudos on your online Critique service.

Not only are you providing a useful art critique service to our community of artists, but you are providing relief to a side effect of the CV-19 social distancing requirements - Cabin Fever. No joke implied. Your critiques provide another place to focus for a while.

...I watched today, and received a good suggestion about combining hard and soft edges in a painting for more interest, it provided input on a sculptural problem I have been wrestling with.

Thank you David and Jordan. This is wonderful inspiration for my afternoon in the studio. You are appreciated.

Marie Ramey, California

Subject: Re: CRITIQUE WEEK: Day 2

LOVE IT!! LOVE that i get to say, “bye” to my hubby and son and say, “I’m going to my meeting now”... so I can:

leave the dirty dishes,
the teen who isn’t doing his homework and still in his undies
the hubby stressed about not working,
the dog who hasn’t been walked yet.

My time... reminds me that I can go into the studio and the “other part” of life will be ok.

And of course, you are amazing David! You make me feel so grounded... That making work isn’t so f**king precious! (Excuse my language). It’s really about line, shape, color, play and experimentation!! Instead of being called, “Artist” (which feels like a product-oriented title), I think a better term might be “Scientist” (which is all about experimentation and not about product).

Thank you thank you.... i would LOVE to do this critique series again... how about next week!!?? And maybe one of these weeks I’ll actually have something to share!

Yesterday was the 1st time I got back into the studio...

In progress — thank you for your support!

AniFaye, California

I’m kind of going crazy with two little boys (ages 3 & 5) at home all the time (no preschool). It’s a real challenge to get any painting done, so I’m just working on some mini-sized paintings in the evenings, after they’re in bed. Now I can listen to the critique week videos while I paint 😊

I want to say this was such a really great idea. I look forward to these and I think they are going really well. Thank you both so much for making this happen, and it seem the community loves them as well.

This is a smash hit, (my) 2 cents.

I am really enjoying the sessions together with all the artists. I will be looking forward to your next critique as I have sorted out a couple which I would like to be looked at.

You have asked about further critique sessions. YES. When? The sooner the better.

Peter D Granville-Edmunds, England

Your CRITIQUE WEEK is going way too fast. It is the perfect way to spend the quarantine. I look forward to 10:50 am each morning.

Sharon Harris, California

It’s also a good kick in the butt to be creative! I find I’ve gotten in the studio more often this week cause we have critiques in the studio!! I simply don’t leave!!

Just a note to thank you for your generous offer during this difficult time and for making this a short week of isolation. I look forward every morning to your "zoom critiques" and seeing the artists which makes me feel not alone.

Wish these critiques could last as long as the home quarantine. We not only get to learn more about art making but, at the same time, we get to look at some amazing artwork...

Thank you again.
GC, California

I love everything about your critiques, David! and I know Jordan is in the background making all the tech work. Thank you so much for all your efforts! I think you're hearing the same thing from everyone else; that is, keep it coming!  I don't know when you'll announce your next critique week but I'll be joining it whenever you have it. I won't be live though, so thank you so much for providing the replay videos. 

Jeri Edwards, California

Thank you again…an uplifting, learning event.

Thank-you for the educational and inspirational art critique that you both so graciously are providing for our art community. Watching the critique has given me more and more energy to create. Yesterday I had so much fun doing a collage with acrylic, charcoal, and graphite pencil of a healing dream that I had. The dream had our precious earth surrounded by the oceans, the stars, the turtle and the hummingbird. It shared the message of healing in this time of despair. Your creative and artist energy is what the world needs now. Thank-you!!!

Susan from Arroyo Grande

You are providing such a wonderful way for us to learn during this “quiet” time.

Thank you so much. I look forward to watching the video replay on today. I am taking my son for a long drive to the country just to get him out of the house. He is 12 and has been so patient over the past month. I'm not sure what day it is. I think it's Thatday? However I will be back on tomorrow to join in!

The crits are great! I like the half hour with two paintings, and the length and time are good.

I have enjoyed engaging with art in this way. Thanks for this gift to the art community. It has helped a lot.

I would like to do it again, whenever you are willing and able. Thanks!

Charlotte, California

Loved the images that were chosen and the helpful critique too. Thank you. Well done to you both. It was great. So pleased for you and having so many people joining as well and leaving some lovely feedback. It is so helpful to be able to view different work, and it is not too much to take in all at once either.
Liz, Dumfries and Galloway, South West Scotland

Perfect length. Enough time to say hello and then 2 critiques. Keeps my interest and doesn’t get boring.

KJ

Thanks, David! I am so impressed by the skill level of the pieces so far. Very wonderful thing to participate in! THANK YOU! And thank Jordan - the wizard of all things techie.

Many thanks for this wonderful learning opportunity.

I don’t want to inundate you with emails but I want to comment on what an impressive and interesting variety you selected for the week’s critique overall. I have to complement the artists on their passion, confidence and skill! Without them, we would not have this wonderful opportunity to learn. Special note on today: I think the hardest things to draw/paint are always Faces, Water, and Rocks. You highlighted all of these in the two pieces on Day 6! You provided great tips on how to improve on what was already REALLY good work. Thanks again.

Again, very grateful for this.

Hi David...I've enjoyed your critiques very much...and appreciate that we can see any that we've missed.  I've had to deal with family matters that have preempted the 11:00 presentation but I am looking forward to watching them later as you have so thoughtfully made available for us to view later.

 Thanks so much for sharing generously your abilities to mentor, educate and encourage.

What an uplifting class as well as lots of learning opportunities. So inspiring in a time when I really need artistic inspiration!

Looking forward to what your next online class will be. Thanks again for your inspiration.

Thank you David and Jordan, for inspiring us while we shelter in place. This was a wonderful, bright time of sharing, and so educational. It was so great to be able to watch the replays, as my schedule allowed. The art and instruction were terrific, and my painting process will be changed from what I have learned. I didn't want it to end, and I look forward to the next session. Take care and be well.

Great that you did this; Look forward to more.

Thank you David and Jordan. This has been courageous inspiration for me to go to the studio daily, to conquer that nagging fear of failure. Even though it’s bad ‘out there’ we can all get together for education and support. You are both appreciated. I am looking forward to what is next.

Yes, yes, yes! Loved being here with you. Let’s do it again.

I am so thankful you shared the story of NOT being critiqued today, (or worse — rejected). I had a similar experience as a freshman art major in my first drawing class. I relate to that feeling of rejection and for me, I think it left permanent scars! For a “teacher” to humiliate/ridicule/reject is unspeakable in my mind. Maybe it is a “boot camp” tactic and you were strong enough to toughen up, but I was not as resilient.  How can a student possibly improve technique that way? 

Your approach is what teaching should look like. YOU lift people up and encourage their unique styles, methods and abilities...and you help them improve with constructive comments.  You don’t judge. This week healed an old wound for me. In addition to your comments, seeing the varied works and skill levels gave me encouragement that my own artistic efforts are worth pursuing.

Bravo to you and Jordan; thank you for sharing the gift of your time and talents. 

Loved the sessions!!! Very helpful indeed. Loved every minute of your excellent presentation. Thank you so much. Please let me know if you continue. I would love to participate. Love your work 🤗🤗
Barbara Kosanke 

I had been hoping to get to work with you and now the East and West Coast can finally get together easily. The session has been bright spots in my day, and you and Jordan are so upbeat and welcoming. I look forward to doing it again.

I have taken classes with others. There’s nobody like you. Nobody. You are so positive in suggesting and critiquing things so that we hear, and really focusing on what our passion is, somehow finding that inspiration that we are trying to express, and in helping us do it and giving us alternative suggestions to make it better.

As you know mobility issues have kept me away from your workshops. And this is the solution. For people that can’t physically handle a workshop, the internet it’s just – I hope it goes beyond COVID very selfishly. When you have a change in your “mobility ability,” you have losses and that was a huge one, though this is very important for a lot of people. I do not think I’m speaking just for myself – I think of other people as well.

It’s just really, really nice to not just have feedback from you, but also it’s a little bit of connection with other artists. The connection is important. I don’t take workshops from many but I love yours so.