Let's hear your views.

[JWJ]

I agree 100% with both views Dinkledorf. I think you will find we have few rules and you should certainly see plenty of threads that have gone well off topic. We jump in wherever we wish, and if a thread stays on topic to it's conclusion, it's a rarity.

Your second point about commenting on other peoples work is equally important. I would add that we actually learn things ourselves as we make constructive comments. Many of us feel we aren't good enough to critique another artists work, yet we must all have an opion. More than likely most people are afraid of hurting feelings and I suspect they find giving criticsim to be quite a hard thing to do.

'Critique Corner' was set up to provide a more formal area where it is plain that an artist is seeking criticism and where others can break away from the more usual ooh's and aah's.

[Pat]

John,
we all agreed that the critique corner
was, and is a great idea. That way
some of the group who might be a
little frightened of posting their work
didn't have to worry about a "hard
& tough" critique. There were more
than a few shy ones that felt easier
about posting. 

Pat 

[LOAF]

I am one of those that likes critique and hints but not so keen on commenting on others work for a couple of reasons,  firstly I am very new at any kind of art and as John said, dont feel "qualified" to comment on work far superior to my own and also not sure how to add a constuctive comment due to not knowing what could be done to improve it. a lot of the work I see on here does get oohs and aahs from me I'm afraid, when I'm at Dads (Ian) house I find it quite easy to make comments on his work, and I like to think all constructive but it is very hard to do that on here, possibly because I dont know you all and dont want to offend but also some things I see I assume the artist allready knows about.  I dont mean to offend by not posting comments but dont think I could help.


I suppose what I would like to see on here would be a reference section on techniques like blending with both drawing and painting, colours, washes, etc.etc. and with regard to Dinkledorfs comment on posts being moved, maybe copied to a relevant section so that its still where to author placed it but also easily found by others to refer to,

thanks for listening,
Carl

[dinkledorf]

LOAF, many times a critique can simply be telling the artist what you like and don't like about a painting.  "I really like how you incorporated the green into the shadows" is a constructive critique or even "I don't personally care for the pink in the evergreens" can be constructive. You are not criticizing, merely stating a personal opinion.

[Ingrid]

I suppose what I would like to see on here would be a reference section on techniques like blending with both drawing and painting, colours, washes, etc.etc.

thanks for listening,
Carl

I would love to see a reference section as you mention Carl, great idea! 

[JumpingJax]

John,
we all agreed that the critique corner
was, and is a great idea.

Pat 

I believe having a separate forum devoted to critiques is essential in an art forum such as this. There are those people who seriously wish to learn what it is they could be doing to improve their work. Putting it up for critique implies one has the thick skin to take serious criticism.

The other side of that coin is that the majority of artists - be they beginners or not - hope that their work will be received with nothing but kudos.  I personally refrain from offering even "constructive criticism" if the posted work is not in the Critique Forum.

One of the most grueling aspects of formal art education is being raked over the coals during REQUIRED critique sessions - by both your fellow students and the professors. Most students quickly learn to filter out those comments that they disagree with and adopt those that they find valid.

 

[Brisguy52]

I think you will find we have few rules and you should certainly see plenty of threads that have gone well off topic. We jump in wherever we wish, and if a thread stays on topic to it's conclusion, it's a rarity.

Were this not the case I'm sure this forum would be just another regimented, uninspiring and decidedly uninteresting collection of BS which I for one wouldn't bother with.
Any enthusiastic discussion surrounding a subject with vitually boundless scope (which art certainly has) is bound to spawn many quasi-related "threads". A strict on subject posting policy would serve only to stifle this enthusiasm.
We are fortunate to have a forum director who demands little beyond decorum and civility.

[Millie]

Hello Ken. I so agree. And you know what I really like about this forum? There are real MEN on it. I don't mean that the way it sounds, but I left a forum a few years ago that was all women. Hundreds of them. Can you imagine? 
So we go our happy way, getting on each other's nerves and loving it. 
Millie

[Pat]

One of the most grueling aspects of formal art education is being raked over the coals during REQUIRED critique sessions - by both your fellow students and the professors. Most students quickly learn to filter out those comments that they disagree with and adopt those that they find valid.

JJ, you are totally correct! But....I truely hated it! I knew many
fellow artists that couldn't take it & quit. I would go home and
cry! We learned yes, but it's sometimes a terrible way to learn. 
This is just MHO. After earning 2 degrees in Fine Art, I look
back & am glad I don't ever have to deal with THAT again! 

Pat 

[JumpingJax]

After earning 2 degrees in Fine Art, I look
back & am glad I don't ever have to deal with THAT again! 

Pat 

Where did you go to school Pat? 

Both of my degrees are from the U of Texas, but from totally different campuses. I did my undergrad at the main campus in Austin but when it came to applying for the MFA they wouldn't let me in the program there because they felt I needed to go where there were new professors. So I was ready to sign up for - get this - Texas Women's U in Denton, Texas - where they allow men into the graduate program. But in the meantime I was also accepted to U of Texas San Antonio, where I had a wonderful two year experience that extended to my life outside of school hours too.

 

[Pat]

JJ, I went to the college where my
husband is employed. I will send
you a PM, as I don't like to give out
info as to where I'm located!

P.S That said....I'm typing this in my
Hubbies office! LOL!

Pat

[Brisguy52]

.............................................what I really like about this forum? There are real MEN on it. I don't mean that the way it sounds, .......................

Hmmmm ...... it "sounded" perfectly innocent, so I'm guessing that means ......... 

[Millie]

Aw, aw, aw Ken, behave! No, that's not possible - lets see, I only meant there were MEN - period. Got carried away there. 
Millie

[Brisguy52]

............... MEN - period. ....................

Pronounced guilty ipso facto

[Pat]

ROTFLOL!!!