From the article: 10 Worst Painting Critiques
When you ask someone what they think of a painting, you're exposing yourself to the possibility of negative comments and, unfortunately, hurtful and mean critiques. Some people say unhelpful things that ought rather not to be said, often justifying it by saying it's "just my opinion" or "I'm only being honest". Share your experiences here of things you'd rather people had not said about one of your paintings. Share Your Worst Comments
Hurtful Comments
- I showed a painting that I was quite proud of to my daughter in law and her reaction was "nice frame".
- —Guest lorhil
"Interesting"
- The very worst possible thing somebody can say is "it's interesting". It indicates that they hate it but don't want to say so. Personally, I'd rather hear that the viewer hates it. It also really reflects badly on them as it implies that they do not understand contemporary art.
- —Guest Ana Wieder-Blank
Criticism of My Art
- A lady once said to me: "This will not do you need to study further." I said even artists who have not studied sell their paintings.
- —Guest komalkaur7261@yahoo.in
Everyone is an expert
- I have recently seen two exhibitions, Degas and Picasso. The derogatory comments by viewers were amazing. About Degas 'that hand is just wrong', ' that figure is too stocky'... About Picasso 'they're distorted', 'he must have been taking something'. The less the person knows about art the more critical they are. Is it because they feel threatened in some way? Art can be a way of opening your mind up to new things, of seeing things in a new way. And making art makes the artist think about who to listen to. How to evaluate what you do is harder than doing it. That's part of the amazing challenge. They say climbing Mount Everest is hard!
- —Guest elizjbou
What Hurtful Things
- While out plein air painting, a horseback rider asks to see my painting. I show her, she asks are you taking a class?
- —Guest julie
Those Colors Never Go Together
- When I was in the 6th grade a teacher of mine had us to draw something from a book, so I drew some very nice Japanese pen and inks. She insisted that I add color, which ruined the effect in my very good copies. Next she handed out some pages from a coloring book for us to color. The page I received was a box with a bow wrapped around it. I painted the box purple and the bow red, and she proceeded to tell me (in front of the class) that those two colors NEVER go together. Fortunately I didn't let that stop me from experimenting with color, but I'd like to see her go to some of the designer clothiers and tell THEM that red and purple doesn't go together. I get a chuckle just imagining it.
- —Guest Michelle
Artistic Freedom
- My brother looked at one of my paintings and said: ' That isn't how it's supposed to look'.' I remarked that as an Artist, I had total freedom to do as I please. The trick is to worry more about whether you like it. I found with more experience comes confidence. I know what the finished piece is supposed to look like, and I'm pleased when I'm done; most of the time. Others, I hide in the closet. Later, I take them out and try to salvage them; or throw them out. As a beginner, it was difficult to do that. Somewhere I saw a quote that I live by: '' You don't need confidence, just do it.''
- —Guest shirley laprise
Waste of Canvas
- When I was 16, I enjoyed painting in my free time after homework. I made a picture that I was really proud of and loved. I showed it to my mom. She said, "What's that thing there supposed to be?" She pointed to an island in the sea that I painted. She continued, "Show me it again when it's done" and "can't you stick with pencils, it's such a waste of money on these canvases." First thing I did is hang it up in my bedroom where my mom could see it and made a sign that said: "Warning: bad art, waste of time and money!"
- —Guest Matt
The Truth
- My worst critique came from an acquaintance I ran into while I was delivering a painting to a charity auction, "I'm going to tell you the truth, it looks like s**t." Truthfully, it wasn't great, but it was the best effort I was capable of making at the time. It did, however, sell for $250.00 (which I attribute more to the fact that it was a charity auction than the quality of the painting).
- —DixieGem
How to Give Someone Painter's Block
- I have a whole list. I took a painting workshop where I did an expressionist landscape. The instructor said, "it's obvious you never painted before". I had a scholarship to a prominent art academy -- back in the day. I had another group of female artists say absolutely nothing, dead silence, when I presented an expressionist group of musicians. That painting had won an award in a large show. After a 10-year hiatus, I'm back painting and deaden the sound of any dumb comments.
- —Guest catscali
Forgive Them, They Know Not What They Do
- Often the most disparaging comments come from those nearest and dearest. Comments like "looks like vomit to me!" to describe a reaction to one of my abstracts, or "my kid could do this! "or as Emily Carr's sister said to her, " I like the frame!" points to insensitivity to what words can do. No other profession seems to be "open season" to free "opinions". I ask trusted friends to critique my work, they know I am looking for improvement, not personal put-downs. Insensitive comments can come from jealousy, hidden agendas, inferiority complex, irregard to an artists feelings, and a myriad of other causes. I have learned that rude comments say much more about the person saying it than my art. It is not for me to reason why anymore. I am trying to go beyond the impact these words can have on me, and do my art for me now, not someone's (everyone's!) approval. The saying "I don't know about art, but I know what I like!" reminds me we are all different in our "tastes".
- —Guest Arizona
Paint-by-Number Date
- I had a date with a man who came to my home to take me out to dinner and asked if my painting were paint by number. Last date he ever had with me!
- —Guest sara wall
My Skin is Just Too Thin I Suppose
- My painting won BEST IN SHOW but the local paper art critic made several negative remarks about my work even though a well known pro judge made the decision; I was so taken aback I quit painting for over 60 years before my wife could encourage me to paint again. Thank goodness for her, I'm back with brush in hand.
- —Guest Bill Baggett
Art in the Attic and Dollar Store
- I find that people who don't share a profound interest in art tend to be the most judgmental, which at best makes them look bad. I am the only one in my family who paints; I am a self taught artist and have been doing it since I was little. I also paint glass, make jewelry and other crafts. I find people love my art, and the worst comments have come from my own family. My mom complains that I never paint her anything and then when I do it ends up in her attic. The worst has come from my sister, who tells me that I'm too attached to my art and don't sell enough of it then on another note tells me I should focus more on the things that will sell like my jewelry and glass art instead of painting landscapes that someone could just buy at the dollar store!
- —SLRowe
Any Good?
- I think a critique should express what one feel about the art. A painting opens a communication channel between the artist and a viewer. If the viewer does not understand any interpretation of the message, or understands it and not inspired, then that should be conveyed to the artist if they ask for your opinion. Saying it is nice neutrally may not mean much to an artist.
- —Guest Ariella
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