Should I Respond to Critiques discussions?

[paintfool]

I can spend many hours viewing works posted on the cirtiques forum! There are so many incredible pieces of work there at any given time! You will find a wide range of products there. There are works of art that are museum quality as well as works posted by eager learners, such as my self. Some we are especially proud of & some we are perplexed by because we don't know 'where to go next'. You will find it all in there. It runs the entire spectrum from bright, cheery,lovely, astheticaly pleasing to down right intense, & sometimes even contraversial. So many different styles, mediums & subjects. It's all there! Is it any wonder that i can spend days at a time there! My question is this: I have no formal training in art but i so often feel inclined to comment on these paintings! Is it quite right for me to add my two cents worth? I don't want to mislead anyone in any way, but i have always been a very opinionated individual & could no more see my self not commenting on these works than i could to just sit by if the house were on fire!! If i can find nothing noteworthy or constructive to say, i say nothing & hope that a conversation will ensue which will enable me to further understand the piece. I enjoy this process because it helps me to learn. There is another reason for me spending so much time there & that is that i have discovered that it is easier for me to learn about my friends at WC through thier work. I read so much about the persons through 'reading' thier paintings. A crazy pastime, i know, but hey it works for me. The bottom line is that i don't know if i should comment on the actual works or not. I know that most of you are going to say "oh, really! it's o.k." 'cause you're all just that nice, but really, is it o.k. for not so knowledgeable people to comment on the works of those that post paintings? This question was prompted by a comment that Tammy made on a critique situation. She said someting like "i'm not as learned as some others...but...."(personaly, i'd like for Tammy to comment on my work anytime http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif ) Comments? Thanks Cheryl

[Painter]

The reason I will put images in the critique section is to see what people have to say. You are a people.

This is one of the better ways to get feedback on my work, as to what I am doing, and how I'm doing it. I pay more attention to some that others, but what else is new?

------------------
God Blesses!
Ched

[billyg]

Hey Cheryl if you cant learn and maybe change then you will never grow. Of course you are entitled to comment as you are a viewer of the piece. Lots of people dont understand what the artist was trying to express but his expression means different things to different people. Go for it, thats what artists put them up for.

[cagathoc]

Cheryl,

I feel exactly the same! But I think that the artists who post in crit are looking for emotional reactions as well as technical crits (I am for sure). So, for myself, I post about how the work effects me emotionally. I tend to stay away from technical crit because I also don't feel qualified. Sometimes, if it's something really obvious I might comment on technique but not often.

I know a lot of people view psots at the crit and even when they like it they don't comment. I wish they would! I am awful at judging my own work (one day I love it the next it's dirt) and I need the feedback to gauge the quality of the work for shows and sales, etc.

So pls if something is nice, go ahead and write "nice". All comments are helpful!!!

NOTE: Even negative reactions can be constructive if framed correctly. I think everyone here is good at that. So if you hate something - it's very valuable also to know why you have a strong negative rxn to the piece.

Cindy

[oleCC]

Even if I cannot offer any technique hints or suggestions... I will try to post an honest opinion . I hope others do that for me too.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif Carol

[tammy]

Hey Cheryl
You asked my question for me! I was feeling the same way. But I say...Keep posting. I've learned that if I'm wrong about my critique then someone else will say so and that suits me just fine.
It breds discussion and then from such "we learn too". Isn't it great here? I love it.
I think that all in all, as discussed in another place...always keep in view respect for each other. I just didn't want to ever say anything amateur about a painting, then find out that its done by a professional and that they find my comment downgrading, demeaning or something because of who they are and because of who I am. Ex. the taught trying to teach the teacher. Since we really don't know everyone well, I guess that's a chance I'll have to take.
Luv ya!

[arcitect]

A great many of history's most renowned critics have been POETS with no real claim to any significant art training or grounding in art history.

The more the merrier. http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/wink.gif

[sandge]

I really love the diversity of this site and the range of experience of contributors. Everybody has their own unique perspective and it's wonderful when they value what you're doing enough to want to help. Sometimes people have opposing opinions. That's ok. It's helpful to know people react to your work in different ways and you can choose what to take on board depending on what your work's all about.

As Tammy says, you learn from contributing both from the ensuing discussion and from considering a work and attempting to find out what you like, what you think has worked and what is not so successful. Learning from analysis is one of the things we had to do in art college.

Go for it! http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/biggrin.gif
sandra

[Phyllis Rennie]

Being ignored isn't much fun. People show their work to be noticed. So go ahead and comment. Or ask a question and give them the opportunity to share what they know.

[Sandi]

I so agree Phyllis!

[Rod]

To critique a painting you must sit and study it, check the colors ,composition, values,etc and decide whether what you see works for that painting and why ,so we all learn as we critique. Also the artist gets many varied views which he can accept or discard,so yes I think it is important for all to input their thoughts,
Rod

[This message has been edited by Rod (edited June 19, 2000).]

[bruin70]

cheryl,,,you lost me after the first,,,,,,,, CHAPTER! ...{M}

[paintfool]

Sorry 'bout that Milt. I'll try harder next time http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/wink.gif Cheryl