The Surprising Reason Why Negative Feedback Is An Artist’s Best Friend
In the summer of 2017, the world of motion picture whispered promises in my ear like a captivating film score.
I had recently graduated from university and was about to start an internship.
With rose-tinted glasses, I entered the film industry unaware of the challenges ahead that would test my mettle in ways I couldn’t predict.
My career began at the Disney-owned studio — Industrial Light & Magic.
Stepping through those doors induced mixed feelings of reverence and imposter syndrome.
Here I was, an intern surrounded by living legends who shaped entire worlds on the silver screen.
Self-doubt crept into my mind like an unwanted house guest.
But fearing criticism served me no purpose, just as an athlete afraid of missed shots in practice stifles their progress.
Such thinking restricts one's growth potential.
What we perceive as an enemy — unwanted criticism — is actually our greatest ally.
Embracing it lies at the heart of artistry; it’s the only path to exponential improvement in one’s craft.
How I Overcame The Fear Of Criticism
I worked on the movie Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom during my internship.
I made digital replicas of props and furniture for a scene — two raptors locking claw and teeth, inadvertently destroying everything in their path.
The scene would take place in a child’s bedroom.
While seasoned professionals sculpted prehistoric beasts, I made children’s toys.
Part of my assigned work was a collection of little green soldiers to be scattered around the bedroom-turned-battlefield.
The next day, all the artists gathered for critique in a small, dimly lit theatre.
I picked a seat and waited until it was my turn for feedback.
Suddenly — my army men appeared larger than life on the 20-foot screen before me. Then the critique began — and it landed like a kick in the face.
“That helmet looks more like a fisherman’s hat than army gear!” cried one of the art directors.
A chorus of laughter rippled through the room as all eyes darted back and forth between me and my creation.
My face began to feel hot with embarrassment as I sank into my chair while faking laughter.
Despite the humiliation, it taught me a valuable lesson — I must embrace criticism to grow as an artist.
In a letter to his brother, Vincent Van Gogh once said:
“What am I in the eyes of most people? A nonentity or an eccentric and disagreeable man — somebody who has no position in society and never will have, in short, the lowest of the low.
All right, then — even if that were absolutely true, then I should one day like to show by my work what such an eccentric, such a nobody, has in his heart.”
Many artists find it hard to accept public criticism of their work. This forces us to confront negative feelings about our work head-on.
We find it difficult because our perspectives differ from those of the viewers.
Creators perceive the process and cherish their work more so as a result.
The viewer perceives the product.
We shouldn’t be fearful or discouraged if our creations are mocked.
Accept it and use it to iterate and improve.
The authors state in their book — Art & Fear: Observations On The Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking:
“The viewer’s concerns are not your concerns. Their job is whatever it is: to be moved by art, to be entertained by it, to make a killing off it, whatever. Your job is to learn to work on your work. “
Criticism is imminent.
It’s not something to dread but an opportunity to learn and be reframed as harsh lessons that build resilience.
Celebrate small missteps as proof you will level up as an artist.
While others are paralyzed by fear, we will iterate like Van Gogh — treating criticism as a cheat code for accelerated growth.
Embracing criticism is the ultimate mindset leverage to transform into a creative force the world will value.
