So when is a student ready to be a teacher?

[Steven Sweeney]

Swear on a stack of unfinished sudoku puzzles, this is my last post in this thread, but I have to say this:

Don't get sucked into a different kind of vortex, the one where you post a critique -- with the expectation of getting feedback on your critique! (Feel familiar to anyone?) Just don't. A critique is an opinion, perhaps a considered one or perhaps just the consequence of indigestion, but it's just an opinion. Put it out there, and let loose of it. It doesn't matter if the artist whose work is being reviewed agrees with you or appreciates the insight. It doesn't matter if another Forum member comes along and disagrees with you, suggesting a different procedure or solution (that is, having the audacity to express his or her own opinion).

As the inimitable Bill Murray reminded us in that inestimable summer-camp send-up, "Meatballs," --

It Just Doesn't Matter!

Focus on the work.

Now, a cease and desist order has just been faxed to my cubicle . . .

[Mark Youd]

.

[Jeff Fuchs]

Originally Posted by Mark Youd

Here's a thought.

Someone posting work for critique should first write their own critique of the painting.

My thoughts exactly. That's why I haven't been posting for critiques lately. I'm struggling to learn to paint, and I can readily see what I'm doing wrong. Second opinions wouldn't be helpful to me at this point, since my problem is a lack of experience with the medium. After I make a few hundred attempts, I'll be ready for opinions.

At this point, my work would produce those cringes you mentioned.

When I see the cringe pieces, I usually assume that the artist lacks experience, and I shy away from critiques, because what they really need is to keep drawing and painting. There's not much point lecturing someone on color temperature when they can't draw a head.

[Elizabeth Schott]

Swear on a stack of unfinished sudoku puzzles

I didn't know you could get these any other way!

I think I might spend some more time just reading through recent critiques and see what people are saying.