I' m really hoping this forum gets a little more critical to be honest. Everybody just seems to be be loving everything that' s posted, no matter what.
I' ve given out critiques once or twice and it always felt weird being the only one saying anything critical about the works posted here so most of the time I just kept quiet.
If you post your stuff on the internet you should expect people not to like it. For me art is a very personal thing and, so I understand people not wanting to hear negative things about their works. And I guess you COULD always say explicitely that you don' t want critiques.

I agree with what your saying about people not given a criticism but I wonder how many feel like I do that my artwork is not at a higher enough standard to be critical of somebody else work, so just tend to steer clear.

I get that. But still everybody has an opinion and has to be allowed to voice it, right? The quality of your own work shouldn' t matter in my opinion.

I certainly understand that viewpoint - I share it to an extent on issues of technical aspects, but I think that everyone has something valuable to add, for example; expressing what their basic reaction to an image is - "do you like it and most importantly why/why not?"

I do think that it should be made clear that critiques are welcome rather than assuming so, just to keep things here as friendly as they are right now. And also I'd need to know the intent of any image - an Artists Statement - explaining what the artist is trying to achieve/convey, that way I can comment appropriately (see AnMal's comments regarding Cézanne above) even if it's along the lines of "I did this for a bit of fun".

Kevin

It seems that most artist are convinced to appreciate "constructive criticism"...but alas they appreciate only in theory
So after be burned several times i very seldom post critiques

Also is easy "to like" something, but explain why is quite more complex ...and explain why NOT , and in a polite way , may be the most difficult

I think that anything that could be improved should be balanced with what is good about it. I believe that if you can't say something good about somebody's work then you have no right to comment. The difference between criticism and constructive criticism is in the wording. "This looks lousy" is just plain criticism. Constructive criticism is more like advice. Two things that should be taken into account are the individual's talent level and what that individual is trying to achieve. It's no good telling a beginner that something isn't entirely accurate because I'm sure the beginner is well aware of that and cannot do any better. Before commenting remember that the artist is a human being with feelings and is probably proud of his/her work otherwise they wouldn't have posted it. Personally I welcome comments and criticism. I might not always agree with it but often it helps me to develop my skills.

Erisian, Your signature looks like it's at a vineyard, it could use a bottle of Pinot Noir and some chicken thighs.

In my view in order critique or criticize one must first fully understand the subject under scrutiny.
Leaping head first into a shallow pond...

I absolutely agree with you. But only someone with enough experience about the subject can give constructive criticism and always with kind words saying how the subject could be improved. Someone like me, who is beginning and learning from all of you with interest, everything you create is good so there are thankful or kind words. You must feel proud of your outcomes and your talent teaching people with less experience. People who start their first steps in Gimp will never give any criticism, on the contrary they will say how nice they find your outcomes.

We all have something we might be able to add that can help improve, or point out something that was overlooked. "I am my own worst critic" and often see things in my own work that goes unnoticed by others.

I look at it this way... If I can't give constructive criticism, I won't give any at all.
Just because I notice a stray pixel, that I feel is out of place. Doesn't mean I have to point out that pixel.
Most of the time, to me, it's not really a matter of the quality of someone's work, but it's subject and overall composition that I feel means the most to me.

I'm also not against the criticism, constructive or not, of my own work. I however, would not post something that I felt was substandard in my own eyes. Even so, it really wouldn't matter anyway. Some people seem to focus on the tiniest flaw in an image and that's all they see.

Having experience and knowledge can be helpful, but everyone knows what they like. It's much more difficult for those lacking the experience and knowledge to see the full picture; so to speak and to give an unbiased opinion.

I hope this makes some sense?

Very we'll said Wallace.

Well said indeed Wallace. I believe in reality that with a few exceptions, most of the images post are test results and critique is sought on the methods rather than the quality of the image. I also criticize my own work.

All said and done. People are comfortable enough to post their work on this site.

Thanks you guys.
I'm glad that it made sense to you.

I forgot to mention how I feel about those people that go through life wearing "rose colored glasses"... I love those people. They can critique my work any time they want.

What about purple ones?

Them too..