[BrandantR]

Well, as it looks like the implementation of a Critics thread is far down the road, perhaps I can handle it this way. If I post a carving and say "give your honest opinions and critiques", or something like that, then I'm opening myself up for just what I asked for. We should be man/woman enough to accept criticism for what it is and take an introspective look at our pieces and ask ourselves if the suggestion would indeed improve on the piece or not. If so, take it to heart, if not then go happily on your way. If we assume that all comments are meant to be helpful in nature, then no hard feelings should arise. Anyway, I'm going to ask for honest comments when I post so those who care enough to help can offer suggestions freely.

[xsailer]

BobD,
Besides all the hasseling I would hope you consider presenting this idea to whoever. I agree it would be a real challange both time consuming and designing but then nothing ventured nothing gained.

[BobD]

Hi Bob,
In reality...it all falls to me. What time I can spare is the time I would put into this. That's why I said I can't envision it any earlier than 6 months down the road, and to be realistic, it's more likely to be a year.

[Merle Rice]

I personally feel that having a Critics Corner would be opening a can of Worms. Peoples feelings would be hurt even if they said that it wouldn't, but down deep inside it would. Constructive is good but has to be presented in that way (Tactful). Everyone of us can't Type a sentence in a Tactful way and that is were it will begin. I think after a while it will become a CLICK for the better Carvers because new carvers will hesitate to present their Carvings. This is a HOBBY, PAST TIME for most of us and nothing more.Sure we want to become better thru time and Practice, that's the Fun of it. By putting(I hope my comments don't offend you ) at the end of your Critic doesn't ease your statement if it is negative. I personally like it the way that it is, this works for me. Merle

[Hugh P.]

What a topic, I do like the idea of critique on our carvings, but It has the potential to drive people away. I like the board as it is, quite friendly, and understanding.
Yrs ago I went to the competetions, didn't like the judging, and seen others like myself drift away from competetions because of the critique. I've never seen any thing in my life that would stand up to someone looking to tear it down. I took a carving to a professional carver this past summer, a carving I thought was good!!. He tore it apart, feather by feather, and he was right!!, it helped me a lot, and I truly appreciated his critique. I'd like to have him around to help me more, grin.
Rather than have a critique corner, members wanting help improving their carving might ask a certain individual that they trust to critique their work, instead of a group of people judging.
I have two carvers that I email photos to, and they come back with legitimate corrections, but I have a difficult time doing that to them. I can see the quality in their work, unless it is something painfully obvious.
I'll quit soon, grin, one more thing. Driving through Nova Scotia a few yrs back there was a lady selling paintings by the side of the road, I viewed the paintings as crude and childish, they were selling for $75. to $150. Today those paintings are selling for 30 to 40 thousand dollars.
Who is to say, this or that isn't right. My personal opinion and only that, if your want to improve, and want your carvings judged, find someone that your trust and work with them.

[mbevington]

Carving is a hobby for me, but I want to learn everything I can. That is why I read this forum every day and try to get my hands on any info I can. I personly do not post pictures, besause when a carving is post the comments are all the same, ie great good, I like the paint, cute...

Merle, if someone post a carving in a critic post they should be ready for any comments, good or bad. I have had carvings that I thought were goood and my wife torn it apart. She has no carving experince but she made me look at the carving in a different way and inturn I think I carved a better carving.

If we have to wait for a thread, maybe we can give honest critics to the carver who asks for them in their post. If we are not criticed we can not learn.

[LA.DUSTY]

Disclosure: I am not an expert, I am just a real beginner and this is just my opinion. I do not have much of artistic abilities, have absolutely no manual dexterity - with the exception of few cuts on my hand I have nothing to show, which will disqualify me from any critiquing attempts. Surprisingly, I have a very good 3-D vision and can usually see what is wrong.

A critique is a critique. It should be done by somebody who is an expert, preferably somebody who is acknowledged as an expert by others working in the same field for his accomplishments in given field.

As such, this critic's critique would be much harder than a lot of regular carvers could take (including me) for a simple reason - different people have different abilities and some of those cannot be learned. An expert and a professional would see a simple carving done by a beginner in a very different way than someone who is at the beginner's level. I do not think that an honest critique from an expert would really help, in my opinion, it would just take all the joy from the carver who is very happy with his carving.

But I have to agree that an honest critique or advice would be very helpful to those who ask for it and since this is a forum for people who have woodcarving as a hobby, the opinion and advice should be given by those; if you want an expert's opinion, specify it at the beginning of your thread and expect it to be honest and probably harder than you want it to be.


My suggestion for the board would be this:

1. It would be nice to have extra 2 buttons for the threads - one to allow the carver to select if he wants his work to be critiqued - in this case, he/she should be prepared to accept the critique and advice, I also think that this person should have the option to delete any of the critiques he/she would find hurtful, rude, demeaning or of topic. The critique should be done in a helpful and tactful way explaining exactly what is wrong and how it should be fixed. The second button should allow the carver to "categorize" his carving in this post - beginner, intermediate, advanced, professional/master - and the critique should be done according to this. The reason - if a master bird carver tries for the first time to carve a human figure, he might consider himself to be a beginner in this field and should not be critiqued as a master.

2. It might be a good idea to implement similar system in the carving gallery, the carvings should be rated on the level the carver selects for himself - beginner, ..., I just think that many times beginner's carving deserves a perfect 10 on the beginner's level and should not be rated on the same scale as master. Also, a sort of a poll would be nice to have for each carving, one vote for each member - this way even those who do not want to enter 6 of 7 because they could offend the carver would maybe rate the carving and give the carver a general perspective without hurtful criticism. I would still leave the option of leaving a comment or rating with name.

These are just my suggestions, I think that if anything is ever done in this matter, it should not be presented as a critique or judging; it should be done in a positive, helpful way showing exactly what and how could be corrected.

Bob, these are really just suggestions - I do realize that you must be very busy with other things, all I can say is THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU ALREADY DO FOR US.

IMHO
Dusty

[North Wind]

I have been carving less than one year so I don`t consider myself able to judge but I can give my thoughts and tell people that I am by no means the last word on the subject. It`s all a matter of opinion and even if you have guidelines to go by it`s still one persons opinion.If you ask for a honest opinion then take it and study it. You don`t have to agree but you might be able to learn something from it. If you can`t handle bad for lack of better words than I would not ask.I had posted a pic (see below) of one of my carvings and was told that it was a fine job a then suggested that I bring the corners of the mouth back.With this I want back and looked at it and agree with what was said. That made me look at my carving in a new light and I am now trying to use that to better myself. I did not have to agree with it or even try to change the way I do the mouth area. It was just one mans opinion and i thank him for it. I think it will make me a better carver.There is an old saying, BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR YOU JUST MIGHT GET IT. I don`t know that we need a separate place to ask for critique but if we do I would suggest that you dont go there unless you really want to know the truth. As I said earlier as far as judging another persons work it is all really one persons opinion and no one really thinks the same, that is what makes us all different. Our first thoughts should be we carve because we enjoy it, and thats the bottom line. If you want to enter the world of competition or judging then you had better be prepared for the outcome. How many times have you seen something judged and disagreed with that decision? There is no right or wrong its all just opinions. Although I am just starting to wood carve I have been building saddles and carving leather for over thirty years. I build in the old style and even go as far as doing all my stitching by hand. In my opinion, I feel that doing it this way is much better than using a machine, and I wont get into my reasons for that. But have seen competitions where my work was not a winner over something that was done by a machine and that is just something that I live with. Bottom line is to do what you enjoy and if you ask for opinions be sure you are thick skinned enough to take the criticism that comes your way. This does not mean you are good, bad or indifferent, and I know I have used this word a lot but its just an opinion and you dont have to agree with it. Thats just my two cents and we all know that dont buy much these days. Thanks for listening, Vince

[MDWine]

Just my own observation, having been through this same topic on so many forums it's just crazy...

your picture, and either ask for honest critique or not.

On my other forums, we went through the same thing. Today, you can post your pic and get the "atta-boys" and nothing more, or you can ask for an honest critique. The caveat is that one must be ready for the comments, no matter the attitude of the one criticizing it. (some of them can be gentle AND accurate, some can be just mean)

Ask and ye shall receive... maybe more than you like!

(on the other hand, who the heck am I anyway?)

[susieq]

This is the first I have seen about a critic's thread but it's a good idea.
A thread where you know when you post, that it won't be all encouragement and no one pointing out flaws or mistakes......I think it is long over due.

I do, however, think that folks posting their work for review should not get hurt feelings. I also think that there is a nice way to say anything and the folks doing the critique should not be mean spirited. That said, when a thread goes south, I will not post or read any further. I will also realize that when reading a post, you cannot possibly "hear" the tone in which it was made and give the poster, the benefit of the doubt. Do not assume something was posted sarcastically or with mean intent. When it is....I would suggest that the rest of us take the high road and simply move on.