The Art of Self Critique

Kerri Dixon Author

Critique without self-doubt — use the 7 C’s to see your art clearly, learn from it, and handle feedback with confidence.

The Art of Self-Critique: Learning to See Like a Judge

Have you ever finished an artwork, stepped back, and thought, “Something feels off… but I can’t quite say what”?

That moment — where your intuition knows something before your eyes do — is where critique becomes one of your most powerful artistic tools.

And no, I don’t mean being hard on yourself. I mean learning to see your art clearly, the way a teacher or judge might, so you can grow with every piece you make.

Why Critiquing Matters

Critiquing your work helps you move from guessing to knowing.
Instead of wondering if something looks right, you start to understand why it works — or doesn’t.

It’s not about perfection. It’s about curiosity.

“Critique is not about judging your worth as an artist — it’s about learning to see more clearly.”

Seeing Like a Teacher

When you self-critique, try stepping back emotionally and seeing your artwork as if it weren’t yours.
Ask yourself:

“If a student brought me this piece, what feedback would I give them?”

That one shift changes everything. You move from self-doubt to observation.
You begin noticing what’s working beautifully — maybe your values are strong or your edges are clean — and where you can improve next time.

The Difference Between Judging and Critiquing

Judging says: “This is bad.”
Critiquing says: “This part isn’t quite working yet — what could I do differently?”

The word yet is powerful.
Judgment shuts you down; critique opens you up.
It’s not about harshness — it’s about awareness.

The 7 C’s Framework

I once spoke with an art judge who shared the list she uses to evaluate every artwork:
The 7 C’s.
It’s a brilliant tool for self-reflection, too.

Try using these categories as a gentle checklist after each artwork.
You’ll quickly see where your strengths lie — and where to focus your next bit of practice.

How to Use the 7 C’s for Self-Critique

1. Step away from your piece for a day or two.

2. View it in a mirror or flip it horizontally in a photo — you’ll spot proportion and value issues instantly.

3. Score yourself (1–5) in each of the 7 C’s.

4. Note one thing that worked well and one thing to improve next time.

Keep these reflections in a little “lessons learned” notebook — you’ll love looking back and seeing how your eye develops.

Receiving Critique From Others

Now let’s talk about the other kind of critique — the kind that comes from someone else.

Because as soon as you share your art publicly, people will share opinions. Some will be helpful… others, not so much.

Learning when to listen and when to let go is a vital skill for every artist.

Feedback That Helps vs Hurts

Helpful feedback is specific, kind, and constructive.
It sounds like:

“Your composition is strong — maybe try softening that background to make the focal point pop.”

You can feel it comes from a place of love and encouragement.

Unhelpful feedback is vague, dismissive, or cruel.
It sounds like:

“That looks weird.”
“I don’t like that colour.”

That’s not critique — that’s opinion, often from someone projecting their own insecurities or preferences.

How to Tell the Difference

Ask yourself:

• Does this person have experience or context that aligns with my goals?

• Are they speaking from kindness or from ego?

• Can I learn something useful from this feedback?

If the answer’s yes, take it in and grow.
If not — thank them mentally and move on.

“Not all critique deserves a home in your head.”

Your time and energy are precious. Protect them.

A Growth Mindset for Feedback

Whenever you receive critique — whether from yourself, a teacher, or a stranger online — pause and ask:

“Is there truth in this that helps me grow?”

If yes, fantastic.
If not, let it go with grace.

You can learn from feedback without losing confidence.
Growth and self-trust can exist side by side.

Final Thoughts

Critique isn’t about proving your worth — it’s about developing your eye and your understanding.
It’s how you move from hoping to knowing, from copying to creating.

So next time you look at your artwork, instead of thinking “It’s not good enough,” try asking:

“What can I learn from this?”

That’s where real artistic growth begins.

Want a Little Help Getting Started?

I’ve created a printable 7 C’s of Art Critique Worksheet that walks you through the same framework judges use — but in a gentle, artist-friendly way.

You can download it RIGHT HERE

Kerri xx