[docfunkalot]

I've noticed something here: the flawless pieces get alot more critiques than the pieces of crap that need a lot of work. It's all right to tell the first that his piece is great but after 10 or 20 of that I think he gets the messege. Why doesn't anybody help the sucky people? They're the ones who need help? Ignoring it won't make crappy art go away, assistance will...

[Steven Stahlberg]

I guess it's just natural. A lot of people here don't see themselves as teachers, just as browsers of a cool place, or students. I know I don't really see myself as a teacher, more as a student, but I still try to help out sometimes. But I try to be picky about it. I prefer to help someone who seems to have potential, who's taken the first steps down the path of the artist, but is struggling with a particular issue, rather than the guy at the absolute zero level who just needs to keep on drawing like crazy for several more years before he can even start to see the world around him with artists eyes, to understand the advice given here.

I don't know about you, but I feel kinda bad just telling someone 'Everything in your image needs lots of improvement, just spend all your spare time for the next year drawing people from life and photos, THEN start using color' or something like that... There's the danger that such a reply might crush his spirit. Or if his spirit is strong enough, he will keep on drawing anyway and the advice isn't needed. Still if I happen to stumble across an image with 0 replies before it falls off the page, I usually try to reply.

edit: and I try to avoid chiming in on threads where 10 other people have already said how great something is, unless I have some c&c.

[ October 31, 2001: Message edited by: Steven Stahlberg ]

[Jezebel]

Steven put it rather well methinks

I try to respond to those who need help that I can provide. I'm not the best artist in town and I don't have all the answers. Generally I like to think that I point out small simple fixes that can make an ok piece good, a good piece great, or a great piece awesome.

But for those pieces (sorta like Steven mentioned) where it's obvious the person put no effort into it or just has absolutely no knowledge, I can't crit those. They just need practice.

And as mean as this sounds I tend to not crit threads that people keep bumping and saying, "COME ON?? Is my picture reaaallly that bad>??" I've seen that exact phrase SO many times that it just gets on my nerves now, lol.

[wigin]

Very well put you guys....

Hmmm how bad would you feel Everyone on the board critique a painting you did and it needs ALOT of work and everyone tells you that the painting absolutely SUCKS ass? I mean your spirit would be totally crushed... I dont know... but anyways i think ill go in the forums and critic these paintings that no one dares to critic... and see how it goes.. Man i know you guys probably dont know who i am since i NEVER post but i have no time =(... I just wish i would be more active in this community....

Well off to the galleries and its critique TIME... hope no one gets pissed off....

[Sumaleth]

Yep, thats exactly right - you can't really critique something seriously without it being at some sort of level first. And that level is only reached by practice.

Row.

[c]

yea that's the paradox. the people who need the most help can't receive any. whenever i try to help out beginners, i find myself saying the same things over and over. i don't know how to offer anything meaningful without sound like a parrot.

also, i would like to see the obivously 'good' stuff receive more critiques, and not just the usual 'thats great man'.

[ November 01, 2001: Message edited by: c ]

[dr . bang]

many of the crappy art work i see here are done by non-serious people, or people who just post a picture without letting me know what they want to hear for the response.

[Steven Stahlberg]

Yes, and it's very hard to judge someone's 'seriousness' if they don't accompany the artwork with some info about what they're trying to do, what's troubling them most, or something along those lines. So, a few guidelines to first time posters maybe? A little automatic email that goes out to everyone who registers? With recommendations and advice, not rules?
Something like:
1. Lurk a little first.
2. If you want c&c, say so, and give details on what you're trying for, any specific problems encountered, how long it's taken, etc.
3. Even if you don't want c&c, please don't be angry if someone volunteers it.
4. Here are some links to useful sites/faqs whatever
5. Have a link to a homepage with your info (age, art experience etc) and more samples of your work, it might help someone give better comments.
6. Don't swim after a heavy meal.

Can anyone think of more such advice?

[c]

that sounds pretty good to me. except i'd nix the 'how long it took' part. its a peeve of mine when i see people go 'this took me 34.556 minutes'.

but the fact is none of our suggestions are gonna go anywhere hehe ^_^.