Everywhere a sign…
***A little edit here: Just wanted to mention that I got a nice little plug from Tommie over at Road Crew Comic. Go check it out (and Tommie’s comic too) by clicking the link.***
Some more fun at “Randy Lugar’s” expense. I mean, seriously, what’s up with that guy and portfolio critiques at conventions? 
If you are a fan of Web Comics Weekly, you’ll know that Brad, Kris, Dave and Scott have been discussing this subject in-depth. Me? I’m just having a little bit of fun with the subject as I really do see a lot of different sides to convention critiques.
The thing is, if you’re going to ask a “pro” to look at your stuff, you should be prepared for something you don’t want to hear. The absolute worst you can do is to try and defend your work - I think that’s really want puts pros off at looking at people’s portfolios during a convention. If you’re defending your work, then you really weren’t looking for a critique. You were looking for validation and praise.
The best way to deal with a critique is to be completely open to anything and everything a pro is telling you. You can certainly tell or try to explain to them what you were trying to do in a certain panel or page - that’s a lot different then “defending” your work. So, for example, I believe it’s perfectly okay to say “I was attempting to do X-Y-and-Z. What would have been a better way to do this panel, strip or page?”. That’s completely different then saying “I was following one of Wood’s ‘21 panel that always work’ so it’s gotta be right”. That’s defending your work and not be open to getting a critique.
Know what you want (in terms of advice) before you approach a pro at a convention. I think you’ll get much better results.
Unless they have a huge sign behind them that say “I don’t do portfolio critiques”.
Then you’re pretty much screwed.
Listening to “You can call me Al”…
-Chris
July 18th, 2008 at 7:19 am
Hey, as promised your comic is the featured webcomic today on http://www.roadcrewcomic.com
July 18th, 2008 at 10:24 am
Tommie, thanks for the very generous plug! I made an edit to my Blog entry today and mentioned you at the top of it. I hope the reciprocal link helps you out a bit.
-Chris
July 18th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
I agree with the whole con critique thing. It’s all gatta be in the attitude of the would be critique-ee (sp?) , and a few people that don’t really get what a critique is really have ruined it for the majority that understand a critique really is about tearing your stuff up so you can walk away knowing how to improve your work in the long run, THEN going on about what you’re doing well.
I really think it’s a valuable “next generation” responsibility almost for established artists to help out. Some of my most valuable and useful things I’ve learned have been from the most constructive/deep/tough critiques by professionals. It’s made me a much better artists from it and I can’t thank some of the people that have been clearly honest with me.
I think the worst thing someone can do is try to placate or just give positives to critiques to make people feel better about their artwork. I’ve learned wonderful amazing lessons that have literally helped me do so much better in artwork and busness because people were honest with me.
Well there is one thing worse, being a professional that thinks it’s not worth your time or think it’s not your responsibility.
July 21st, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Well, would ya look at that? Seems Brad Guigar (http://www.evil-comic.com/) has been enjoying the little fun I’ve been having with his Earth-2 counterpart, “Randy Lugar”. I have to say, it was HUGE relief when I sent Brad the first strip and asked if he had any problems with it. Because if he did, I didn’t know WHAT I was going to do with the next series of strips that either featured or mentioned “Randy Lugar”…
Brad, I’m glad you got a kick out of them. I’ll have the originals printed for you at Baltimore.
-Chris
October 28th, 2008 at 9:05 am
[...] our earlier question about the judges, it appears that Brad I don’t do portfolio reviews Guigar is Simon, and that’s a good thing. From a mechanics-of-comics standpoint, his [...]