From: owner-scribes@castle.org (scribes digest) To: scribes-digest@castle.org Subject: scribes digest V1 #65 Reply-To: Sender: owner-scribes@castle.org Errors-To: owner-scribes@castle.org Precedence: bulk scribes digest Tuesday, February 17 1998 Volume 01 : Number 065 In this issue: [scribes]: Re: How to critique [scribes]: Re: How to critique Re: [scribes]: Re: How to critique ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 06:36:56 -0500 From: ab873@jepms4.jep.cummins.com Subject: [scribes]: Re: How to critique One of the Laurels here in AEthelmearc actually gives a class on how to critique scribal works. I didn't memorize everything she said, but one thing that stuck out was that she said you should always say at least one (maybe two) nice things for every criticism. She would "box in" any less than positive comments with the positive ones. I don't think Mistress Roseanna is on this list, but I bet Mistress Cori can add more when she gets back. One thing *not* to do: give a critique when the artist isn't even there. My first experience with the scribal arts - before I ever did a scroll - involved a laurel who walked up to look at the first two scrolls my husband and I had ever received. She sniffed and made some disparaging comments about how "somebody had better teach that one how to do medieval backgrounds and the otherone had better work on his calligraphy". "They" weren't even there to hear her comments (much less *ask* for advice!), and as far as we were concerned, they were the two most perfect scrolls in the world! I have only seen this woman one time since - making nasty comments at an A&S display, but I have no desire to learn anything from her or her type. My favorite type of critique is when people not only tell me what is wrong but how to fix it. Usually I know it looks "funny" but if I knew what the problem was, I would have already fixed it. Several very helpful people here have been able to look at my work and identify exactly what I was doing wrong and it was a big help. One even sat down, grabbed a paintbrush and some paint from my tool kit and helped me practice for an hour. Now *that* is useful critiquing!! Dorinda Courtenay (Dorinda Courtine-White) Shire of Heronter, AEthelmearc (Jamestown, NY) ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 09:49:14 EST From: Luiseach@aol.com Subject: [scribes]: Re: How to critique The opinions and advice on how to critique have been great--I teach calligraphy on a fairly regular basis, so I need to critique and everyone who has contributed to this discussion has had ideas that will make me more effective. Part of the whole issue of "critquing without discouraging" comes down to the fact that we have scribes who are really at a very beginning level of developing their skills who are tackling difficult and complex projects. So I guess the related question for Laurels and heads of scriptoria is this: How do you tell people gently that they really need to practice more before they do their first scroll? Even (maybe especially) if it's for their best friend or significant other? Luighseach nic Lochlainn Dreiburgen, Caid ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 10:25:00 -0500 From: Heather Swann Subject: Re: [scribes]: Re: How to critique > The opinions and advice on how to critique have been great--I teach > calligraphy on a fairly regular basis, so I need to critique and everyone who > has contributed to this discussion has had ideas that will make me more > effective. > Part of the whole issue of "critquing without discouraging" comes down to the > fact that we have scribes who are really at a very beginning level of > developing their skills who are tackling difficult and complex projects. So I > guess the related question for Laurels and heads of scriptoria is this: How > do you tell people gently that they really need to practice more before they > do their first scroll? Even (maybe especially) if it's for their best friend > or significant other? > > Luighseach nic Lochlainn > Dreiburgen, Caid In such a case, I'd have them do a practice run using some poetry or a similar sort of text. If they liked their work, and, more importantly, if the person for whom the scroll was destined liked it, I would then try to guide them carefully through that first real scroll. After all, the best encouragement is inspiration. Sometimes if you take away the opportunity to make something for someone special, you take away the reason to learn. I get the feeling that folks try to make that first scroll too pristine sometimes. Mistakes happen, and will on every scroll. The important things as I see them are that: 1) Something new has been learned 2) The recipient likes the scroll 3) The scribe has been encouraged to do further practice and learn more 4) Everyone involved had fun Miri ------------------------------ End of scribes digest V1 #65 ****************************