Artist Advice: What is Quality?

Question: What is Quality?

Response by Artist Vinci Fine Art

I haven’t commented on this thread before and initially, I started to make a simple comment, but turned more detailed, and given examples to help explain, my interpretation of “Quality”.

When we click “Like” we may be making judgments about the “Quality” of the work, else we wouldn’t click the “Like” icon suggesting we don’t like the work. Of course, some may play the system, but I genuinely only give “Likes” when the “Quality” (Technical Ability) is due, as well as others considering other criteria, see below. If I particularly like a work, I would transfer it over to one of my Collections.

Initially, when I joined AF a couple of years ago I made a Forum post about “Quality over Quantity” suggesting that Artists are producing lots of works, I think to the detriment of the “Quality” of the work. By the nature that AF works, to be seen in the “New” section you need to make work quickly to increase your chances of being seen, and I think it’s a detriment to the Quality of the work. Initially, I suggested that there should be a cap or limit to the amount of work being displayed say 100 works per Artist, in order the every Artist to have an equal share of the pot, and by doing so the Artist would select their “Best” Quality work for display, also it would save on server space.

However, following a subsequent post by AF “Plenty Room on the Island” it became apparent that AF has taken a different stance, by accepting “All” work as long as it doesn’t contravene AF’s T&C. Although, initially, I didn’t agree with AF about this, but I have now increased my presence by over 200 works, I must admit a few of the works aren’t my “Best” works to the “Quality” that I would achieve at Art School, but it would increase my chances of being seen on AF. At Art School, you would only put forward your “Best” work for assessment, and for the final Exhibition, and to be marked, and graded, accordingly, as by putting forward lesser “Quality” work may be detrimental to your Practice, and final mark. It appears that the reverse is here on AF, that it’s a numbers game, appears to be “Quantity over Quality”.

While at Art School, Fine Artists are taught, to see things differently, and add “Quality” depth to their work, so the work isn’t easily read and interpreted by the viewer, and not make “Literal” Art, such as in decorative Arts etc.

During another post, I made “Critiques” of other Artists' work on AF with approx 50 critiques, typically writing approx 100 words, with and score out of 10. The system I used was based on three criteria that a judge on the UK Programme “Show Me the Monet” highlighted and I agree with them. The three criteria are Originality, Technical Ability, and Emotional connection. (Almost like I was on the judging selection committee, see last paragraph below). Only by looking at other Artists' work, commenting, and critiquing them, can you make assessments of the “Quality” of the work, by comparing the work to similar Artists, and giving examples in Art History, can an Artist grow and improve their “Quality” and their Practice.

From the above and my experiences,

Four points of "Quality" firstly "Originality" of the Artist

Originality, relates is the work Original? Does the Artist have a USP (Unique Selling Point, that sets the Artist apart from other Artists), or is the Artist mimicking or just copying another Artist's style/technique before? One example of this would be developing a new style movement, at the time, such as “Cubism” pioneered by Cezanne, and Pablo Picasso, in which objects, were painted from multiple points. At the time, this was a new technique and hadn’t been seen before, and I would consider it “radical” or “risky” Art. I think Originality means we should push the boundaries of Art, to create “New” techniques, not seen before, and not just take the “safe” option as to mimic or copy what has gone before us.

Four points of "Quality" and secondly "Technical" ability of the Artist

Technical Ability, I think this relates to the “Quality” of the work. Technical Ability is acquired over time, though the Artist's learning journey, usually taught instruction, and can take several years to achieve.

Although my practice relates to Conceptual Art (where the “Idea” or Concept is the most important aspect, as opposed to the finished polished work), I give an example you may be more familiar with in figurative “Life Drawing”, my first ever drawing, doesn’t have the same “Quality” as my last one over several years of training. Initially started using pencil, then taught to use other mediums, pen & ink, charcoal, acrylic, oil paints, and different techniques such as “scribble techniques”. Then learn about the portions of the body, for-shorting, negative spaces, and filling the page, ensuring that to figure is grounded, with correct weight distribution, and with appropriate background. Only by going through this journey can the “Quality” of the work improve, without guidance, the “Quality” may be lack a second opinion to make adjustments and correct the errors, such as in the program “The Big Painting Challenge”. The tutor would offer guidance and suggestions, for improvement, and demonstrate new techniques. Similarly, while at Art School, an Artist's “Quality” improves with instruction, lectures (such as History of Art, looking at how others use techniques), and critiques, all this to the “Quality” of the work.

Four points of "Quality" and thirdly "Emotional" connection between the Artist and the Buyer

The third criterion is the “Emotional” connection. We all have different emotional responses when we see a work of Art, these are developed when we are young, right up to adulthood, and are different for each individual, due to our life circumstances, social standing (rich or poor), environment, and culture and country of origin etc. Just like the emoticons these can make us feel, happy, sad, angry, shocked, etc. I’m only able to make assessments based on my emotional circumstances, as above, but I think this too aids the “Quality” of the work, as it's better to make an connection between the Artist & the Viewer.

Four points of "Quality" fourthly "Quality" or branding of the Artist

Quality or Technical Ability is just one aspect when assessing a work, as with other criteria above, there is a fourth “Quality” of the Artist which also needs to consider the way that the Artist portrays him or herself to the public, in their Practice, website, blog, on social media, etc, such as their knowledge of the Arts, such as writing full descriptions, Artist Statements, Bio’s (see “Why write a Bio?”), The “Me at Work” section etc all aid to the “Quality” of an Artist.

As to the “Me at Work” I think the “Quality” of the Artist is improved by staging the work in the right setting. Although the Artist may not work this way, you are selling a Product, maybe Aspiration to the viewer, and I think this is also the “Quality” of the Artist. I think “Quality” is right across the board not just an image of their work.

One other aspect is when an Artist submits work for a Competition, or Exhibition, as mentioned previously, “Show Me the Monet” or “Summer Exhibition” at the Royal Academy, and put forward, usually judged by three trained Artists on the judging panel. Only a small portion of the latter is selected, due to space, etc, I think 8 out of 10 works were rejected, approx 10,000 works submitted), and only the best “Quality” work was selected. Only by looking at a large quantity of work, you can see the “Quality” shine through.

I think “Quality” is right across the board not just an image of their work.

Vinci Fine Art

These are just my thoughts and observations, and these comments will be transferred to my Blog for future reference.

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