Ya Gotta Have Thick Skin!

Critics Are Lurking Everywhere

Developing thick skin is vital for artists if they ever plan on putting their work out the for display or hopefully, to sell. Why? Because sadly, there are folks out there who take delight in ripping your work to shreds with cruel comments. Their comments are usually ignorant and have no valid foundation in anything other than perhaps to make themselves feel better about their own miserable lives.

But why comment at all? Don’t bother asking. Obviously they never learned that thing about not saying anything if they don’t have anything nice to say. The fact is, people love bringing other people down. They’re unhappy with their own lives in some or all areas of their lives so they’ll try to tear you down and bring you down to their level. It really has nothing to do with you or your work. You just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time for a troll. Misery loves company and all that jazz.

A thick skin is essential when you make your work public. (Photo Credit: 123RF.com Copyright : Aaron Amat)

While growing a thick skin might be a challenge, it is essential for your artistic growth. If you allow yourself to be crushed by every mean comment, chances are that you’ll eventually give up altogether. Nothing can be more sad than having your creative fire snuffed out by jerks. Unfortunately, social media (where we all post our work) is rife with unkind people. But what’s one to do when someone starts up with the trash talking?

First of all, it’s important to remember that 99.9999 times out of 10, the trash talker has no clue what they’re talking about. You’ll know this by their inability to articulate why they don’t like your work. They have no clue about the basic foundations of art. They won’t be able to comment intelligently about perspective, values, contrast, etc. if you were to ask they why they didn’t care for your work, you’d probably get a moronic comment like, “Cuz it just sucks, that’s why.” If that’s where it goes, thank them for their opinion and block them. There’s such power in the block!

Unhappy people want others to be as unhappy as they are. (Photo credit: 123rf.com Copyright : Ion Chiosea)

Secondly, trolls are usually pretty miserable people with their own self-esteem issues. Their primary method of making themselves feel better is to bring other people down. They can’t stand seeing anyone else happy or even remotely trying to succeed at something. In their twisted way of thinking, your happiness and success highlights their failures.

If you choose to engage a troll in conversation after they leave a nasty comment, you might thank them for their comment and then ask to see some of their work so you can see what they mean. I’m willing to bet none of them do because they don’t have any work at all, or any worth showing. They’re the ones who wish they were artists but aren’t willing to put in the hard work like you. So in order to make themselves feel better, they’ll use their favorite tactic, which is to try and shatter your self-confidence.

Here’s a tip…don’t let them!

Try to develop a thick skin. It’s a cruel world out there. Even art connoisseurs will turn their nose up at some artwork and say that it doesn’t qualify as true art. These are usually the stuffy gallery types who think that only traditional, classical styles are worthy of being called ‘art’. Well, that’s a load of B.S. and everyone knows it. Without artists we wouldn’t have all the products we buy, the cars we drive, the buildings and homes we live and work in, the video games we play, the movies we watch (even live action requires storyboard artists), and so much more.

Lastly, whenever you do come across a troll, thank them for their comment. Yes, thank them! This confuses trolls greatly. You might even agree with them by telling them that you really found a certain part of your work very challenging and that you appreciate that they took the time to comment and that you appreciate being able to learn from what they had to say. Not really, but it is the fastest way to shut them up. And if they don’t, block away! Most of them are looking for confrontation. They get off on it. Don’t give them the satisfaction.

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Further Reading:

Constructive Criticism vs BS

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