“Too Soft”

“Your work is too soft.”

“You need more contrast.”

“You know what would make this piece better? Differentiating between your lights and darks more.”

Those comments and so many other variations on them came from my professors and classmates in college, whether I asked for feedback or not. Critiques, working in class….I’d hear them all the time.

I’d try to put more contrast in my pieces, working my darks darker…but it never felt right to me. I’d end up hating my pieces and I was miserable.

It’s only been the past year or two that I’ve finally started to overcome those comments and really embrace the softness in my works. I mean, isn’t it good for works to be different? If it all was the same, wouldn’t that be pretty boring?

So here’s to being different and staying true to yourself!