I am telling you - next time someone says your art needs refinement, ask them for details. Because telling someone to become better is quite useless, unlike telling them what exactly can become better. They can even show you other artworks and compare. It doesn't mean you should be like the artists they like, but if they cannot give you details, they better not telling anything at all - with time you will see the mistakes and points to improve by yourself.
Right! Absolutely. I should be asking them why... I mean, they say stuff like “it lacks refinement at worst.” Or, “line art is sloppy, the feet look weird.” But- I understand why someone may think that way. However, I am still learning. I am not a professional artist, and I certainly like to have constructive criticism. It helps me. If it isn’t constructive, then it puts me down, and it is just ridicule (ok maybe not all of it is.) I too, look for things that must be changed. Then I ask someone else if it needs to be changed/worked on. Indeed though, that I do need to improve on areas that someone else pointed out. And I do my best to look into them. I think maybe these people who I talk to on instagram (other than me asking them why) needs to find/say better words than harsh ones... because I was told that a character looked like she was wearing a helmet and not hair. And that... well, that’s the least harsh thing to be said. But- maybe instead of saying that, say instead, “this needs some definition. Add hair lines, and make it look like hair.”
Hmm I suppose its a level of mastery of your craft, the fundamentals, and your aesthetic. Its sort of best shown in progress/art improvement memes. Here's a link to an example of what I mean:
It's something that takes a lot of time and effort to achieve, and its often a collection of subtle changes built up over years. On an intuitive level, its when this awkwardness in a person's art goes away and can stand on its own.
Awhile ago I gave a critique in which the work needed "refinement" but I elaborated. Things like scratchy line art, anatomy, gesture, form, values, shapes, perspective, etc. You know when a person't work is more refined when you have to really think to find something that could be improved upon on work. But by that point you're getting into increasingly subjective territory.
Indeed. Everyone has their own say. And I respect their word. But if it is harsh criticism, without a reason why they see something I cannot, without explanation, it doesn’t help me.
Ah well it can be a sensitive topic on giving a thorough critique, since you don't know how the other person will handle. But I'm sure this forum would give you useful critiques if you want it.
Also, maybe the other person is just giving an uninformed opinion. Intuitively the other person may sense something is awkward but can't quite put their finger on it. Maybe try to ask people who you think you can learn from or try to find a mentor. That way they can give you comments and critiques that you can trust.
Hm yeah, it could be... It will be nice to find a mentor. Or someone who is much more informed (not that the person is 100% uninformed... but-) I mean, it’s good for someone to observe. I myself observe and find something that needs to be changed. I need a good explanation. I respect anyone’s opinions about what they see. I did see a lot of refinement needed when I first started digital art. But I still have lots to learn.
Not to go back to this “friend” of mine, but he said to me that “there is something very frustrating about your art. I think it is your anatomy, it seems a little off.” Uh.... yeah, I do need to improve my anatomy. But it’s the beauty of starting out, and learning about posing. I didn’t do too many posing art. But right now, I am looking at references and how to draw them.
Thing is unsolicited critiques are a big no-no in the online art community, but if you ask someone will gladly help. But not everyone is used to receiving critiques, or know how to respond to one without coming off as defensive or arrogant or making excuses.
Ah well anatomy is difficult haha, but unless someone is more knowledgeable on the subject its hard to be specific. Its probably a combination of anatomy, gesture, and perspective.
Yeah. I love drawing perspectives! Not sure why. But it is fun. 
Posing is really fun, but it can be hard if not drawn right.
If I told someone to refine their art I would probably mean look for specific small things they could clean up to make improvements. But I'd usually say something more specific, like... refining a sketch would be erasing unnecessary lines and blocking in the important ones. Refining shadows might mean blending and adding contrast. Basically going back over a thing and continuing to work it.
It's a very vague word if there's no context around it, though, so if someone suggesting you refine your art, def ask for them to be specific about what you can do. Possibly they don't know either, though, and they just said it because they couldn't think of something specific that would be helpful. Sometimes people don't know what to say so they just say whatever comes to mind. =)
First of all, that hair is breathtaking. 'o'
Secondly, I think of "refinement" as developing a general consistency. For example, being able to draw a hand correctly ALL the time, instead of it being hit or miss depending on the drawing/pose. Or in the case of a single picture, being able to draw ALL the body parts correctly, instead of drawing good-looking hands but lopsided feet, or super-detailed eyes on a lump-shaped head (common anime artist mistake).
In the case of this picture, I might guess the comment referred to the disparity between the drawing of the person and the drawing of the person's clothes...they differ greatly, both in level of detail and even line width. It almost looks like they were photoshopped together from two different drawings.
And if that wasn't intentional (i.e. the shirt isn't finished or something), then yeah, some refinement could be in order.
Thank you! 
Absolutely! I definitely may need to define the clothes a lot more (especially because it was supposed to be a military outfit. So I’ll definitely look into that.
If you actually want a crit for a particular drawing you should ask for one. Many of the better artists won't just chime in and offer tips unless they think you are open to the information. Also, on a forum, though most people are well meaning, not everyone has the same level of knowledge and some might even tell you things that are wrong. Get expert opinions, not general opinions.
For me, Refinement means you've got a grasp of the essential basics and its a matter of improving specific skills.
In the case of the drawing you've shared above, it's got solid line work and the rendering (light and shadow) is also serviceable. It does the job and I know what I'm looking at, which is really good! You're at a stage where now "refinement" is needed before the art evolved again as you grow. For me refinement has more to do with technical skill more than personal style.
I once saw a good critique that put into words what I see here. Essentially the rendering doesn't fully match the linework. Sometimes the way in which lines are shaded take away from the lines themselves and muddies up the clarity of the art. A lot of early in their journey artists go through this, I did as well. And even now I'm in a new process of refining my own line work to better suit the way I'm rendering now.
The best way for me to explain this is to show you. Could you share a jpeg of just the linework? Then I can show you what I mean.
Example of my work:(sorry for the low res; it's a screenshot, but hopefully you can see here like how I have less line work in the hair so I can do more rendering on panel 2; but in panel 1 the girl has a lot of lines in her hair, so I don't have to shade it as much to give it definition.)
[p.s. This is two panels from an upcoming comic]
Oooh! Lol! but hey, seeing artworks and comparing them from then to now- it helps me understand a little more! So- I thank you guys for the help! Also-good edit! I had a good laugh.
As usual, I'm late to the party and a lot of people covered what I would have said. I can only add that it's good that your asking questions and willing to take the hits.
I view refinement as learning the nuance of art. Like not having tangents in your illustrations. Or having a confident line. Leaning how to effectively use asymmetry in your work. How to use negative space. Etc. That is refinement, to me. But that's after you know the fundamentals by heart. If you work on refining before have the fundamentals, you're literally polishing a turd. (In more pleasant terms, putting the cart before the horse.) But that's how I see it. I think others have provided good definitions as well.
Again, you're already better off by asking and learning. I wish I had asked these things way sooner than I did.
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