Suggestions for improvement ...

[odge]

Hi everyone,

This has been my first experience of a WDE which I have thoroughly enjoyed. One thing I have noticed is there is a lot of focus on the positive in paintings which is great, but there doesn't seem to be much in the way of suggestions for improvement.

Is there some particular reason for this?

Probably the main reason I like to post my images on WC is so I get the suggestions for what I can do to improve - stronger contrasts, complimentary colours, composition, etc. I can appreciate it is difficult, especially at first, to incorporate all these factors and work to a time frame, but I think getting less positive feedback is a great learning tool. Sometimes it takes a fresh eye to see something.

I've only been a member for a few weeks, but I have really valued everything that people have said about my work and no-one has said anything offensive.

What do you reckon?

Jo

[sundiver]

If you want a critique of your WDE entry you can always cross-post it in one of the other forums, such as the Open Critique or Structured Critique forums, or the forum related to the medium or subject. The WC Gallery is not a critique forum, it's more like a show-and-tell, as you can see by the posting
guidelines above. :)

[stoney]

If you want a critique of your WDE entry you can always cross-post it in one of the other forums, such as the Open Critique or Structured Critique forums, or the forum related to the medium or subject. The WC Gallery is not a critique forum, it's more like a show-and-tell, as you can see by the posting
guidelines above. :)

Agreed. I'm fully aware of the myraid mistakes I make as a rank beginner. What helps me greatly is feedback on what worked, what I did right. What I, personally, am striving for is not only to improve, to try something a little different, but to learn why something worked, or what another person was struck by.

For me, this is the best way for me to learn. If I'm not sure on something specific, I'll ask and implement the feedback. For me, it's about discovery. Exploring the 'land' of 'What if?'

I'm still working on becoming familiar with the tools at hand. I'm interested in building a stout 'foundation.' I've got plenty of time. I'm enjoying the leisurely 'journey' and am making sure I stop to 'sniff the flowers.' :)

[prestonsega]

This was also my first time participating in the wde. Because of the time restraints, I rather like the idea of positiive feedback in this forum where we focus on the strengths of a work. It was like waiting at the finish line to cheer on teamates as the posts came in.

[lisilk]

As one of the guides here I can tell you :

First of all, this is a brand spanking new forum.

We absolutely welcome All suggestions on how we can improve. We are learning as we go.

The Events here are all very fast and have time limits. Most folks are not creating finished paintings but working to learn how to spot the essence of an image and capture that. It's about creating art communally, around the world at the same time.

I am always open to critique but others are VERY sensitive about it. This is NOT a critique forum. You sort of have to learn the personalities to know who is open and who is not.

It's how you critique that matters. It's very important if you are giving advice to follow up with what works about the effort.

Some of us state on all of our posts " Comments and critiques welcome. " That way you can know you can let them have it ! LOL.

Glad to see you joining us and PLEASE continue to keep us thinking !

I will bring this thread and the other about suggestions to the attention of the moderators so we can address these issues.

Cheers,

Li

[sundiver]

I think we have to be very careful with critiquing here, for reasons others have mentioned. In two hours we don't have time to do a thoughtful self-critique, to adjust or re-do much, as we would with no time limit.

These events are oriented more toward process than product, with fun, practice, challenge, self-learning and social connection playing a big part. Most of us, I think, don't expect to frame/sell our results. We usually post them whether or not they are successful- that's the nature of this forum.

Personally, I would not give a critique here unless it was specifically
requested. If someone was trying a portrait, say, for the first time, I would give them kudos for taking a stab at it and point out the positive things. If they wanted a serious critique they could cross-post it in the portrait forum where they could get specific help.
That's just my humble opinion!
Wendy

[Bertoni]

I agree with Wendy's views on this subject!
I often cross post to the acrylic and other forums and usually write in C&C (Comments and Crit's appreciated). Sometimes however I do forget to put that in.
I've gotten really great positives on my work here on WC as well as a lot of extremely constructive and helpful comments! :)

[candice]

I'm going with the majority here -- because I agree. There's no time to do a finished piece (that would probably be my 'excuse', that's for sure!! :D )
and I don't come here for critiquing. I like the idea of the community and joined wetcanvas because of the feeling of camaraderie I got from reading the posts. I don't mind being critiqued (I'm secure enough - yeah, sure!!!) but I'll ask if I want it.

[katju]

I have to agree with what the others have said so far. This is a "safe" place to share your artwork whether you're a novice or a pro. The encouragement I have received here has reignited my passion for painting... A week or 2 ago I looked back to see if there were any more comments on one of my paintings and my jaw just kind of dropped when I read a critique left by someone who was a new member and apparently didn't know it wasn't a critique forum. I had been pleased with my painting because it wasn't a subject I usually pursue and there was quite a bit of critiquing.... Anyway, after I picked myself up off the floor, I realized that there was some validity to the critique, however, it was unsolicited. And I know that when I am ready to ask for C&C I can always post elsewhere. So that's my 2 cents, Jo.

Kathy

[odge]

:o :o :o I have a confession to make... :o :o :o

:o I started this thread before I had read the "guidelines for posting" sticky and realised the error of my suggestions when Sundiver replied. I did contemplate having the thread deleted, but I didn't know how to get this to happen.

Since I didn't have any more replies for 3 weeksI hoped this thread had been lost/forgotten - never to be seen again. I was really dismayed when it was dredged up again.

I "hear" everyone's opinions and agree with them (now, that I understand the object of this forum).

I hope I haven't offended anyone and if I have, please forgive me. :( I have learnt my lesson, and will read all stickies before I post a thread in a forum I haven't been in before.

Jo

[lisilk]

:o :o :o I have a confession to make... :o :o :o

:o I started this thread before I had read the "guidelines for posting" sticky and realised the error of my suggestions when Sundiver replied. I did contemplate having the thread deleted, but I didn't know how to get this to happen.

Since I didn't have any more replies for 3 weeksI hoped this thread had been lost/forgotten - never to be seen again. I was really dismayed when it was dredged up again.

I "hear" everyone's opinions and agree with them (now, that I understand the object of this forum).

I hope I haven't offended anyone and if I have, please forgive me. :( I have learnt my lesson, and will read all stickies before I post a thread in a forum I haven't been in before.

Jo

Jo,

Don't apologize. Healthy discussions are always welcome. :D

Li

[sundiver]

((((((((((group hug for Jo! )))))))))))))))

[MKathleen]

I hope I haven't offended anyone and if I have, please forgive me. I have learnt my lesson, and will read all stickies before I post a thread in a forum I haven't been in before. Jo
:) Hi Jo, lisilk is right 'don't apologize' your comments and suggestions are welcome. As others have mentioned this forum is a work in progress and we are working to make it a forum that everyone can come to and leave with a good experience. If someone wants to comment and make constructive improvement suggestions that is their right and yours. Usually the artist will ask if they want suggestions for improvement. :)
I'm so pleased you are enjoying Wet Canvas and the WDE's, they are fun... :D
Kathy

[tammy]

Hello all,
It's been interesting to hear everyone's viewpoints. Currently, there is no hard fast rule for the WDE's in having or against having critiques done within this Forum.
Certainly the WDE's gained a home in the WC! Gallery and despite the fact that critique, technique and even suggestions were not allowed there, the WDE's did well in the format in which they were started in the drawing Forum.

Having said that, in this new All Media Event Forum as it develops it is certain that some things will change as we go along and some things will remain the same.

As a Moderator who was not even involved in the WDE's, FND's before they became a part of the WC Gallery, I felt that the format they were in was fine and that the people who were involved in the WDE's since they evolved knew best how they wanted them and that it was working.

Therefore, not officially making a new rule for this forum for now, I've got to say that Scott worked very hard in developing other Forums where learning critiques could be made such as the Open Critique Forum and Structured Critique Forum. He did this because whole sets of new problems can develop when people critique others and I think that he felt that confining this to certain Forum for which such was made was best.

Having said that, personally, I feel for now that the WDE spirit is one of an Event of sharing instead of the burden of critiquing and that a real true Critique thread should really for now be left in the Open or Structured Critique forums.

[odge]

Thanks everyone for your support. I feel I can show my "face" in this forum once again. :D

Jo

[lisilk]

Thanks everyone for your support. I feel I can show my "face" in this forum once again. :D

Jo

You can absolutely show your face and are very welcomed to participate in the next WDE. This site only gets better by being open to change and discussion.

Cheers,

Li

[Yokovich]

Thanks everyone for your support. I feel I can show my "face" in this forum once again. :D

Jo odge!! silly wabbit!! it was a good post because it made for a good discussion--its really great --because of this post I learned about "comments and critique welcome"-- I saw that in posts before but did not really understand until this discussion!! guess I need to read the stickies too!!! LOL!!

[artbyjune]

I just love that phrase:
creating art communally, around the world at the same time.

I agree that the WDE is terrific and unique for this process. And the safe environment helps you to post experiments, off the wall things and so on.

Critique is OK if you ask for it. Or post in a critique forum.

I guess I am just agreeing with you all!!
June

[Drumbeat-trish]

Yo Jo - kia ora -good to see another kiwi on board :D :D
Make sure to come next weekend -bit of boring old Auckland stuff :D
Your comment/s were very valid and well stated, but yeah for me as many of the others have said the WDE's are about being able to break free a little without fear, but its a different experience for everyone. For me too its a sort of ohhhh right I have got to do something here -in 2 hours lol, keeps the creative juices flowing. Jump in and enjoy - to be honest I enjoy seeing a forum where its yeah cool - rather than the continual (for which one can amass points) you could have done ... look at the...... measure your.... you could try ......... not to say that those aren't valuable or needed (oh boy do I need it) but as someone said earlier its just a different state , a breather if you like :) and meant to be for fun and sharing and learning in a different way ( well thats the way I see it) Anyways I am glad you jumped in with your poll - its a good thing for people to take stock of how they view things and see if and where folks need/want change :)

[Slowdown]

My 2 cents, (actually 3 cause price hikes and the like). I think that healthy critisism is good and helps us grow as artists. But I do believe that the person posting the art work should decide wether or not he/she wants that critisism. Now, for something different. The WDE for the 19th of april was my first WDE event and I cant tell you the amount of frustration I had trying to look for the post that said "WDE 4/19 images here", no fault of Trish, who was holding the event, its just that by the time I found the time to join the event, it was a little late and alot of people had already joined and posted their works, not to mention older WDE posts that got thrown into the mix. Anyways, I would like to suggest that maybe we make the "wde images here" thread as a sticky so that it stays at the top for people like me who, for one reason or another, cant join the event on time. (runs away, back into his corner. Affraid that someone might throw something at him for saying too much, he covers his head)

[MKathleen]

The WDE for the 19th of april was my first WDE event and I cant tell you the amount of frustration I had trying to look for the post that said "WDE 4/19 images here", no fault of Trish, who was holding the event, its just that by the time I found the time to join the event, it was a little late and alot of people had already joined and posted their works, not to mention older WDE posts that got thrown into the mix. Anyways, I would like to suggest that maybe we make the "wde images here" thread as a sticky so that it stays at the top for people like me who, for one reason or another, cant join the event on time.
Hi slowdown and welcome, each Host is ask to add the 'lightbulb' when they upload their images for the WDE. This is a new addition to the Hosting Guidelines and our Hosts aren't use to adding the 'lightbulb' yet. It was added to the image thread when noticed it was missing. Unfortunately you must have come on board prior to the addition of the lightbulb. So from now on please look for the 'Yellow bulb' to the left of the Title (WDE IMAGES ARE HERE)or words to that effect.
Staff has ask that we refrain to using to many sticky's in our forum. Each sticky that is added leave less room on the main page and thus causes threads to move on to the other pages fairly quickly....some threads might be missed and we don't want that to happen. The day of the WDE the threads with their images move pretty fast so we need all the room we can get on page one. Once threads move on to the second, third, fourth etc. pages the less likely they will be seen...unless some kind sole posts and brings the thread back to page one. We have Guide Lines at the top of the main page for 'Instructions for participating in a WDE', 'Hosting Guidelines' and a 'Roster' of WDE Hosts. If you are interested in Hosting a WDE you can sign-up by contacting myself, tammy, lisilk, sundiver, Drumbeat-trish. Or leave a message in the floating Hosting sign up sheet and you will be added to the list and sent a pm (Private Message).
We do appreciate your input and suggestions:)

[Drumbeat-trish]

Yeah, sorry slow -I forgot the lightbulb :o I really just wanted to cause you extra anxiety and stress :evil: :D
I understand the sticky thing -but its not a bad idea to keep it bumped - I'll have a go at remembering next weekend if I'm working near the computer to keep bumping the images thread up - anyone else who would like to be a professional bumper could help out too :)

[Charlie's Mum]

My only concern is the huge growth in popularity!!!
I've tried to view every entry, and comment, because I feel we should when people have taken time to participate - but it's so difficult to find the time!!!!
If we continue to grow at this rate I think Scott will have to think of something else!!! :D

[MKathleen]

:) Hi Maureen, thank you for your concern and I understand what you are saying. It was pretty easy to post to every thread in the early stages of WDE I think we all can agree on that for sure. Each thread pretty much has to be treated as you would any other post to a forum. Choose the ones you really feel strongly about the work and post to those threads. Folks will understand if you don't post to every thread. I do make it a point to post to those folks who post to my thread as a courtsey then I move on to the other threads. I really wish I had the time to post to every thread but it just isn't possible for me.... :) Just my thoughts... :)