Comments on: The Oreo approach to criticism

By: Ann Marie Scott

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:56:12 +0000

This is a great topic! We are sorely in need of great critiquers. The oreo approach is interesting but it’s downside is feeling like it could turn into an “it’s good but…” I am blessed to live in an arts community and have a few people I turn to for their valuable opinion but as a realist painter finding good critique is still pretty hard. Personally I prefer a good clear comment/critique and not have it sandwiched but then again I grew a super thick skin after a vicious critique in college that people still talk about (30 yrs later!!!) My reward for surviving it is I’m the only one in my class still making & thriving w my art! In the end I guess it is best if you know or at least have some sense of the person you are critiquing…are they used to it? been in the art world long enough to have a bit of a thick skin? etc…

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By: Cath

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:34:21 +0000

We use a similar process to Oreo at my work when doing 6 monthly staff appraisals. Studies how that NZ kids hear something like 10 negative for every positive, so even in my library I try to be positive with ‘naughty’ kids. With my art, I like to receive the Oreo approach or similar – otherwise there is a danger that my heart beats so loud that my ears can’t hear the message…

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By: delia

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:17:23 +0000

I’m always open for constructive criticism…
as for myself, I try to only leave positive criticism, or nothing if I don’t care for the works, sometimes it’s just for an anatomical correction for an animal that I might know of and am familiar painting…having said that, we all have different tastes in medium and styles… that’s what I like about art/artists, each one being an individual with an individual style, not looking the same…we might not like everything, but that’s what makes the world go around, it would be boring if everyone’s art looked alike…JMO

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By: Roger L Huffenberger

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:05:10 +0000

Very good advice I’ve belong to a critique group for the last ten years.
The people in the group use this approach. When I was a new comer to the group and the art world it was a pleasent experience to be critiqued this way.

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By: gesah

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:29:48 +0000

Hi!
I think there’s a real issue with the problems being sandwiched between praise (I know this concept as sh* sandwich :)) – the danger is that people only listen to the praise. One of the things I’ve found helpful to do is give feedback with asking what people thought about their work first, and depending how they phrase it, it helps getting a sense of how to enframe feedback – using Feeling/Thinking of the Myers Briggs, i.e. whether people value personal input/appreciation and effort or want a straighforward assessment of their weaknesses. I know e.g. that I tend to phrase feedback very carefully and emphasise people’s input/effort, but that is not what people necessarily want to hear.
The other thing I have found in managing teams is that one needs to give praise if one wants one’s own criticism taken serious.

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By: Robin Maria Pedrero

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:11:36 +0000

Words are empowering. I believe in building people up. I seek balance with a straight forward, gentle, yet honest, diplomatic critique.There have been times when I thought everything I said was non attacking,however we as creative people are quite sensitive and sometimes unknowingly a particular word or area of discussion can trigger defensiveness. It is a delicate area providing growth for both the recipient and the critic. I know with my roles as an artist, juror, judge, speaker and teacher we can be on both ends of a critique. I also find a difference in reception in whether the critique is public or private. I’ll never forget a critique in front of 500 people where “he” said my work was “morbid”… the audience was so surprised and disagreed but after more than 10 years I still remember the experience.

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By: Patricia C Vener

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:36:43 +0000

It’s the same idea as I (try to) use in teaching Astronomy or Physics (I’m an adjunct Professor at two unis) to undergrads. I try to say something positive before I lambaste their sometimes very avoidable (if they followed instructions) mistakes. It’s easier to do this when the mistakes are honestly due to lack of understanding. Of course, for my online class, when I’m late with grading I tend to get more terse. But at least with their research papers (midterm projects) I am very careful to note something positive before I critique and then hopefully end with something else positive.

This works for all facets of learning, I believe. Self-improvement may come from within and a critique from the perspective of another (hopefully expert) person who finds a way to encourage as well as correct reinforces advancement.

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By: Lynne Oakes

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:57:11 +0000

This is always a delicate matter on the part of the one getting the critique as well as the one giving it. I am on both ends since I am a teacher and a painter. As the former, when I see things that need improvement I first ask what they think of their piece. Then I offer advice for how to make the image better.
As a painter, on the receiving end of criticism, I always choose the people I ask to comment with great care. In the first place, I have to respect what they know as well as admire their work.

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By: Keith Bond

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:56:26 +0000

I like having critiques from someone whose opinion I value. My mom tells me all the time that my work is great – and she does this for free. If I am paying a teacher or coach for help, I don’t want to hear what my mom tells me. I need to know why and how. I need to know what is great but more importantly what is not great. Good critiques don’t beat around the bush when in the fluffy white stuff part. They should be specific. How can I improve?

Thanks for the great article.

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By: Sari Grove

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:55:54 +0000

As a child I once ate all the middles out of the Oreo cookies, plunked the chocolate bits back together , & put them all back into the box…tears (of laughter) still come to my eyes as I remember family members reaching into the package, pulling out two bits of chocolate & slowly examining the lack of cream filling…
Back on topic, I realise that I do the Oreo thing instinctively…Just yesterday, I gently told a young ‘un that his logo was illegible between two ‘how cool is that’ compliments…Unfortunately little cynical slacker gave me a lame excuse & disappeared…& one of his words was ‘lucid’ which I had tried to point out implied clarity not cryptic, sigh…
Possibly, I should have given only praise…On several occasions, built trust & then offered the constructive criticism part…Maybe Arrowroot cookies then Oreos later?

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