Negative attitudes

[Central Point Bob]

Negative attitudes towards another carvers style or method of carving is very rude and annoying. When one comes across a style or method of carving they disagree with they should not comment on that style unless they are asked to by the carver. would like to hear other comments on negative attitudes towards other carvers.:Sarcastic

[Donsexton]

That is why I stopped hanging out over at 54 it went way beyond constructive criticism just ask Buzz.

[carver33]

I replied to an earlier post with a critique and I think it generated an interesting discussion.

Denigrating someones work is rude and uncalled for. However, constructive criticism can be a good thing. I believe that there is entirely too much gratuitous praise for work that could obviously be improved upon. Honest constructive criticism often leads to better results on future carvings.

What I would like to see more of, is for the newer carvers to post pictures of works in progress and ask for suggestions. I'm sure that the members of this forum would be willing to offer assistance without knocking their efforts.

[Kenny_S]

Nothing wrong with a little Gratuitous priase to keep a newbie interested in his or her continuing their carving hobby. However, I agree in part with Bill. A little constructive critiqueing if said in a positive way goes a long ways. However, Here and at shows I have heard some that hammered a person and in a way downed their skills.

Personally, There are styles of carving I don't care for and don't do. But always am interested in seeing what one comes up with in those styles.


keep your knife sharp and the Bandaids close.

[TreeWizard]

I entered 4 pieces in a local show last year and as usual all were judged without knowing who the carver is. I won two first place ribbons and the piece I thought was the most complex of the carvings I entered was generally panned by the judges.

I listened to what they said about that piece and realized they had totally missed what I was trying to get across with that piece.

I'm glad my skin was thick enough not to discourage me from continuing this hobby, and in retrospect I think it is better to just keep your thoughts to yourself if you don't care for someones work.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder for sure.

[sashadoc]

Constructive criticism is good as long as you know the effect the person is trying to achieve. I can't imagine someone telling Picasso " you know that painting would sell better if you worked on making your faces more realistic."

Tim

[brent]

Originally Posted by sashadoc

Constructive criticism is good as long as you know the effect the person is trying to achieve. I can't imagine someone telling Picasso " you know that painting would sell better if you worked on making your faces more realistic."

Tim

Amen to that!!

[Mark Dellinger]

This is an interesting question. If someone asks for critique, then they have to take what comes. I have recieved critiques that were sent to my pm and I was gracious for the sincere suggestions. On some occassions I asked why they were not shared in the post so that others too could learn. It came back that others have disagreed with suggestions or comments and that became the focus of the thread and not the carving or the question itself.

I have only received one critique in the couple of years that I have been here that I thought was not really a critique other than a tear down of what I had done. The critique was that my carving looked nothing like the original carving that I followed from a book that I bought. Things in my carving were not in proper proportion to the original and so on. I did not get upset, I tried to take the comments and learn from them, but then I remembered. I'm trying to develop my own style by using patterns and techniques from others, not copy everyone elses work. I just posted my attempt of Lynn's "carving a cowboy bust" If Lynn was to view it, no doubt he could critique it and tear it apart. He could easily point out where I did not follow his instruction and went off on my own. I don't know that I have really had critiques as much as suggestions on how to improve, which is why I came here in the first place, to learn.

I say before you give a critique ask yourself if it is something that will really be helpful and something that is not hurtful, but then again the distinction between helpful and hurtful is the perception of the individual being critiqued.

Just my thoughts,

Mark

[Dileon]

If you are talking about on this board? There is a ton of joking around among people who know each other...being new this could be consider very rude and down right sacsatic, not knowing that someone is joking around. People ask for peoples good and bad critic, I think are looking for ways to improve. They do not have to consider anyones opinion, other then their own, and they may choose another person opinion or they can disregard. I come from college and art background where doctors and instructors would take your work and destroy it, they said if you can not take the negitive opinions then you would not be able to handle the art world, or people saying bad things when you show in public. I have a hard time telling people how to improve mainly because I can not see their reaction, but I want to hear it all. Because I am here to learn, and others can see things I can not. Although I have never seen any hard core put down of anyones work on this board, everyone is very nice and at times many are joking for a laugh. But the real question does people remarks make you stop working, if it does please print .....No comment, ....everyone will be respectful of your choice. Then of coarse sometime we get mad but that is handle on this board with respect of all the wishes of everyone here that we do not agree, being that we are all human, it happens. Now I have seen boards destroyed by people who come on the boards with a position that they will destroy, and create living fire with everyone, but we got to many moderators to put that fire out and fast. An there are a few people here that appear to be very sarcastic but that is because you do not know them...they are in real life some of the best people who can ever get to know. I have always felt that this board is one of the best places to get honest answers and a good pat on the back.... Honestly I know tons of people who think Picasso work looks like crap, and have no trouble saying so, so my opinion to each our own, never take anyone opinions on your shoulders especially when creating something.....

[Colin-Partridge]

Whole heartedly agree I learned a long time ago if you cant say something nice then say nothing at all. I know that I always ask for constructive critisim but that is me nearly everything I do I find so many faults with myself so I ask for others opinions on this board. Having said that very seldom do I recieve any critisism but knowing this board and having been here from day one I sometimes think everyone is just being nice. If asked I will give an opinion not to be mean and rude but my honest opinion. Now remember this is just MY opinon everyone in this world will have a different opinion. If we were all the same this world would be boring. This is a great message board I am like Don I used to be part of the chainsaw carving forum but dont even go there anymore some of those people are just down right rude.
Colin