Online Critique With Lalita Hamill, AFCA

Thursday, February 6th, 2025

10.00 AM - Noon (PST)

Online Via Zoom 

Open to all levels!  

Limited to 10 students!

Interactive Online Critiques:

To get to that “next level” you’ll sometimes need the constructive feedback of an experienced critic/fellow artist to drive your work forward. Critiques will help you grow as an artist and help you develop your work. Hear what is working in your art and ask for input on your current challenges. You’ll receive an overall evaluation of your artwork's strengths and weaknesses and a clear idea of how to move forward with your art by FCA Associate Member Lalita Hamill. 

About Lalita Hamill, AFCA: 

Lalita is a sought-after instructor and juror who specializes in contemporary realism, especially of figures, still life and landscapes. She attended the Vancouver Academy of Art for four years, where she studied traditional painting methods from classically trained instructors. Lalita is a Signature member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, and an Associate Member of Oil Painters of America. She has been teaching for over 30 years, facilitated public monthly critiques for 10 years, and has been running a weekly contemporary atelier program out of her studio for seven years. Lalita designed the Foundations Program for the Federation of Canadian Artists. She is accomplished in oils, acrylics and watercolour, and specializes in art assessment and composition.

Lalita has a degree in Philosophy and English, and is also a writer, musician, facilitator, and XR Designer. “I paint to gently awaken in myself and others that which has been lost, hidden, or buried.”  - L.C. Hamill  Visit www.lalitahamill.com

Critique philosophy: Visual art is not merely subjective. Just like with music and writing, effective visual art has structure. With music, this includes notes, rests, harmonies, tempo, repetition, and dynamics. With writing, this includes syntax, grammar, spelling, plot, character development, and dialogue. With visual art, this includes line, shape, value, colour, texture, repetition, harmony, balance, edges, emphasis, and the like.

The rate at which we grow as artists and the artistic path we choose is largely dependent on feedback we receive. Whether this feedback is from within, comments from family and friends, awards, declines from juried shows, or number of sales, we rarely find out why our work was considered successful or not.

Unfortunately, the term “critique” has a negative connotation, instilling feelings of anxiety, apprehension and inadequacy. A critique is an oral or written discussion strategy used to analyze, describe, and interpret works of art. If someone claiming to provide 'honest' feedback is personally attacking or being tactless, unkind, or cruel, this is not a critique. A critique provides honest and encouraging feedback, requiring both the knowledge and sensitivity of the critiquer and openness and curiosity of the artist. 

How to register:

Using the submission on artists.ca, upload up to two images of your work for the Online Critique Session by no later than Monday, February 3rd. The critique is limited to 10 participants, so please submit early in order to secure your spot.

Critique fee:

$35 (members) / $40 (non-members) + 5% GST

After enrolling you will receive an emailed invoice. Please keep this for your records. Closer to the critique date, you will be sent an email with further instructions and a link to the interactive online platform. If you have further questions about online critiques, please don't  hesitate to get in touch. Email education@artists.ca or call 604-681-2744.  

Student Testimonials:

• “In her critiques, Lalita provides honest and gentle suggestions for improvements at the same time she lets the painters know what really works in each painting.  Over the past four years I have learned so much from her.  What a lovely soul she is.”  - Marion Iherg

• “I have learned more about colour and tones in these two [Opus demo] sessions than I have ever learned from any other professional artist or class.”  - E. Johnston

• “I really appreciate Lalita’s knowledge delivered with such a friendly, inclusive style” - J. Dixon 

• “The art criique is my favourite event each month.  Lalita is a fantastic facilitator and makes you feel good about your painting.  I value her professional opinion.” - Nadja Mak

• “I have learned a great deal while attending Lalita’s art critiques.  I feel I understand what I’m looking at so much more and can articulate what I feel about a piece more than I could before. It helps me appreciate different styles as well. I find every session worthwhile and inspiring.”  – Heidi Stewart