Constructive criticism

tel

We all have the choice when we join Two inch brush to accept or reject criticism and tips which are intended to make us better artists. When we agree to accept criticism it is understood that the person giving it has only good intentions and that advice is suggested with the best interests of the artist concerned.
Let me be clear, i know i am far from being one of the better artists around here, i paint because i enjoy it and i am under no illusions about my limited abilities, however on occasion i have tried to offer help or advice where i think it may help but my opinion was recently undermined by another member presumably because he/she felt somebodies feelings may have been hurt.
I would never hand out criticism /advice or tips unless it was 100% warranted, the member in question has been glad of the help in the recent past as he/she is fairly new to painting and welcomes help when somebody is prepared to give it.
There was an occasion a couple years ago where i said that i diden't understand abstract art and it led to a whole debate about the wisdom of expressing an honest opinion here on Two inch brush, unfortunately we can't have it both ways can we?

Felix

tel Can you link me to the post in question?

Sunnylady

tel So sorry to hear about the issue. You are right: it takes a lot of time, sometimes an hour and half to give a nice constructive feedback and explain the thing that could promote further learning by the artist whose painting is being commented on. It also takes time to realize that there is more than one way to do things in painting and somebody with strongly opinionated personality will take more time to understand this and even more time to learn how to give feedback. You are absolutely right that it is up to each artist to accept/reject criticism and also to learn from it and also willingly to ask for the feedback. I would say in Argument the truth is born, but it is art and everyone has their own unique truth and no arguments will help to establish who is right/wrong. Some of the things they are objective like drying time of oil, but 99% of them are subjective because we talk about art. As a person who is now trying to get honest feedbacks on my new art direction with abstracts i see that people are uncomfortable to comment if they don't like it and what exactly is bothering them and i find it very difficult because I want to see from the people who have similar artistic mindset (our peers here) what abstraction tells them to help me learn from it. But for those who commented if the opinions are different I am happy coz it gives a new point of view to me. At the end of the day I do not know many people who enjoys abstract, but painting abstract teaches me tolerance toward other people opinions. Keep doing what you are doing and give feedbacks when someone asks or there is huge potential in that painting you are commenting on. Willing to share knowledge is priceless even when opinions may be different. Please promise that you keep giving criticism on my paintings.

Sunnylady

tel and one more thing: please do not underestimate yourself, you developed unique style and preferences and your paintings are recognizable and you achieved it through gaining the experience and knowledge and it matters a lot!

Colin Hudson

I have always supported the need for honest, helpful and open support for other artists of whatever calibre. The Wikipedia definition of criticism includes the following "Criticism is the construction of a judgement about the negative or positive qualities of someone or something. Criticism can range from impromptu comments to a written detailed response. Criticism falls into several overlapping types including "theoretical, practical, impressionistic, affective, prescriptive, or descriptive"." "criticism" . Tel, you have always given a supportive critique of both your own and other artists work and never intended it in a negative way. Most people on here really do appreciate your and other peoples advice and support. Keep on doing it! If it is misunderstood then people can always ask why you have made a bad comment?

tel

With respect Felix, i would prefer to bury this topic before it becomes a "thing" as i have a lot of time for the member concerned.
I don't expect everybody to agree with everything i say around here but it does nobody any favours when good advice is given and somebody else insinuates that it's worthless.
it's tempting to just keep quiet but if everybody did that we would not grow as artists and frankly Two inch brush woulden't be the excellent platform for amateur artists that it is

Coldethel

Sorry that this happened. I appreciate all advice given.

tel

Thanks for the input guys, i just think being honest about a particular aspect of a painting if it warrants it is probably more helpful than blowing smoke, but it should be advice not simply criticism without any foundation.
i am happy to accept advice and tips as i suspect most members are, and i also think it is unhelpful to think that this mindset may send somebody into a spiral of depression

tel

Point made i feel, ....Felix perhaps you could now lock the topic?