Negative Feedback

[Donald Maier]

Pretty much everywhere here we have a place to make comments. On the Artwork, Videos, certainly the Forum posts and so on. For the most part, the comments I read are usually positive and reenforcing. If you don't have anything nice to say... well you know how that goes.

A recent post I read was criticizing this practice looking for a place to get a critique. I referred this person to the ART CRITIQUE post on the Forum Page here. Maybe in the future I can come up with something better.

But the question bugs me. Is this just a place for positive comments? Is it inappropriate to give any negative feedback? Assuming that the comment is made to be a constructive one and not petty designed to hurt someone's feelings. I would like to hear from some of you who have an opinion on this. Are negative comments unwelcome here? Should we just say nice things and save the critique for the Critique Page, only when "asked" for? Should we offer helpful suggestions when we have them, even if the person did not ask for such comments? Isn't this a place to help each other grow? I don't know. What do you want it to be? I get criticism all the time. I have pretty thick skin though.

I'll tell you what I think, but you go first. What's your opinion.

[Kittie Rue Deemer]

Well I haven't had an ass-pat lately.  Oh wait, this is the painting forum, isn't it?  

Armand, on a serious note, what you say I agree with, to a point.  I agree most people just want to be told their stuff is pretty.  For me, part of my learning is to read, practice, read, regurgitate, read some more and then practice again.  A huge part of my personal learning process is receiving and also giving critique.  I find that through the process of critique I not only learn what I don't know, but I also learn the invaluable skill of sharing the few things I do know....  As a new painter, I don't have nearly the miles of paint under my belt, but I have a relatively full brain from Schmid, Aspevig, Christiansen, and whoever I can find to emulate and study.  You are also in that list.  

I also, from being in the US Navy and working in typically male environments, have pretty thick skin and I don't put something out there unless I'm ready for feedback of some kind.  Sorry for the length. 

Armand Cabrera said:

 You shoould just continue the critque pages where people can post work to be critqued by others. Most people just want ass pats. Most aren't professional in their work ethic or attitude and will never be professional artists. As for professionals why would a professional artist tlisten to the opinion of an amateur. Do you really think someone like Richard Schmid can be given advice by Lola Artfan? Inability to paint as well as the pro excludes the person from critiquing them. Their opinion is equal to their abilities as an artist. Otherwise it would show in their work.

[Cyndi Mould]

I am not as accomplished as many of the artists on this site, so I would not venture to critique, but I would welcome a critique of my work and how to make it better. My goal is to gain enough skill to be competetive on the plein air scene. I have watched my eye improve, just by viewing new works here on a daily basis, thanks for being inclusive to all levels.

[Donald Maier]

As long as you're not making a comment to be caddy or Simon Cowlish, which are usually right on, but hurtful often... beginner or pro, we all have an opinion. You can certainly like or dislike a painting and say so. I overheard a couple looking at one of my large oil paintings in our coop gallery a few months ago, and one said to the other, "it looks like paint by numbers". Well obviously, I took offense to this but of course did not say anything about it too them or ask what did they mean. But in hind sight, it may have been a compliment, a good thing in their eyes. So I say, be honest, say what you feel, but don't be petty or hurtful. Say something nice and then give your criticism, then end with another nice thing. This is a technique I learned as a teacher, but did not always practice. I have gotten better.

Capt Elaine said:

Well since most of the artists here are professionals.. and perhaps showing paintings here in hopes of SELLING them, in no way would a presume to critique anyone's work on this site... unless they asked for it, and even then I don't feel qualified to tell a professional what is 'wrong' with their painting... I know what I like, and what I don't like, if I like a painting I will give a positive, nice work comment, if I don't like it... I won't say anything.  I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, or be the cause of someone NOT buying a painting because of a critical comment I made.  Just my opinion...worth what you paid for it :-)

[Donald Maier]

We are not as such. I doubt is anyone has directly sold work from here, but I have been urging members to begin to use it as such. I have sent out a fromat to use which clearly invites viewer to contact the artist directly from our site or follow the link to their personal website to shop. It would include in the dircription box when you upload every photo or your artwork, 1- a Sentence or two about the piece... 2-Title 3-Medium  4- Size   5-Price. 

So there is that.

I don't see what difference it make either, if the critique is pos or neg. A customer who would purchase if all the comments were good? Is that really going to "fool" the viewer into buying? No. The person is going to buy if that art speaks to them. I don't believe a negative comment amonst a few possitive ones would kill a sale... if that's what this is about. 

Kittie Rue Deemer said:

I didn't know this was a selling site, that changes everything....  Is that true?  That people post here hoping to sell?  I thought it was like the Wet Canvas forum, for growth and camaraderie among artists....  So sorry for misunderstanding.  

[Krystal Allen]

When a person shares a piece of art they have created with even one person, then they have opened the lines of communication. They have no control of what the viewer thinks. Whether or not that viewer verbalizes their opinion of the work or not, is another thing. The fact of the matter is, people are going to have opinions that are favorable, unfavorable or indifferent. As a forum this venue encourages feedback. I would hope that those sharing their opinions are adult and do so in a constructive manner. Unfortunatley some people feel the need to put others work down in a way that is demeaning so thay can make themselves feel better. This happens everywhere, in all walks of life. Get over it, you can't erase these people out of life. All you can do is try your best and hope that it will meet with favorable feedback.

[Donald Maier]

Finally, a pearl of true wisdom. I am in total agreement with you here Krystal. Well put.

Krystal Allen said:

When a person shares a piece of art they have created with even one person, then they have opened the lines of communication. They have no control of what the viewer thinks. Whether or not that viewer verbalizes their opinion of the work or not, is another thing. The fact of the matter is, people are going to have opinions that are favorable, unfavorable or indifferent. As a forum this venue encourages feedback. I would hope that those sharing their opinions are adult and do so in a constructive manner. Unfortunatley some people feel the need to put others work down in a way that is demeaning so thay can make themselves feel better. This happens everywhere, in all walks of life. Get over it, you can't erase these people out of life. All you can do is try your best and hope that it will meet with favorable feedback.