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Greetings,

Welcome to the Cooper studio, Lipetsk

And whoa up a minute:  you seriously thought I was going to give you rules for the self critiquing of your paintings?  

Nay.  We will delve MUCH deeper than that this morning.

Let's begin at the beginning, shall we?  

I was out for the morning run around Bykhanov Cad park.  A long time ago I read some article that said you heart is happier if, when you exercise, the elevated heart rate is sustained for a minimum of 20 minutes.  (could also be an old wives' tale, who knows?)

I had completed this morning's lap номер один.  That moment was directly followed  by the thought:  "maybe I should take the shortcut back?"  I have a lot to do today - time is of the essence - it might start raining....

I was not panting hard enough at that point in time, to fail to see the true reason:  Karen, you are merely being lazy.

I turned right instead of left, and went the extra lap.  (25 minutes total, wootwoot!)

I know an artist, at least she says she's an artist.  We were having a group showing of local artists, where we were all supposed to bring several canvases representative of our current work.  This gal brought one canvas, accompanied by the comment that she'd just been so busy, she didn't have time to finish it.  (it was WAY unfinished)  Did I mention the previous group show had been one year prior?!

Yes, self critique IS important.  And lists for self critique are great.  Google knows where they all are.  10 rules for self critique of your paintings.  Self Critique Ideas.  3 rules of Constructive Self Criticism.  Here  are links to three fine examples:

http://www.oil-painting-techniques.com/art-evaluation.html

https://www.uwgb.edu/malloyk/art_criticism_and_formal_analysi.htm

https://www.goshen.edu/art/ed/critique1.html

(with nods of approval to authors:  OilPaintingTechniques.com, Terry Barrett, and Marvin Bartel)

But underneath all the self critique thoughts is this crux of the matter:  you have to have something to critique.  You can learn  all the methods of self critique you want, but have you gotten the cart before the horse?  I think there are a bunch of us who still need to complete the first lap.

It's a little like that person we all know with the most outstanding library of art instruction books ever, but who seldom picks up a brush.

Likely this article is happening because I am well aware that there are not enough canvases clearing my easel at this point in my life.  Laziness is not the artist's friend!

There is another rule for artists that goes something like:  you are not an artist until you have painted _______ paintings.  (fill in the blank with your favorite number for this ruling)  

I think the truth lies in the possibility of, when we have filled in that blank with a number, and completed that many canvases, THEN we need to do it all over again.  

Yup.  Laziness is not the artists friend.  And maybe that's where the critique should begin :)

Thanks for stopping by.

Later, Karen