Personally, I don't like "Oooh, it looks just like a photograph." I feel like cameras take fine photographs, and I'm not John Henry, facing down a steam engine. I'm doing something different. I suspect some people will agree with me, and others won't.

What's the least favorite compliment you've ever received?

"You did a good job! " Sounds like a kindergarten adagio.

lol, that is waaay too funny...i dont mind that expression..or any other, as long as someone takes the time to tell me nice try or something i guess the ones i really hate come from my very own mammy...to her everything is 'CUTE' drives me bonkers..."thats cute" ack....i even find myself doing it.."but mom it is a stack of skulls! how can that be cute?" lol oh well..

"Good so far. You're not finished yet, right?" when i WAS finished. haha. ticked me off

"Your not an artist you are a copier"

Someone looks at a half finished oil portrait and says, "It don't look like them."

The worst I ever got was....
I'll comment on your work later..(and then dever did ).you know its realy not my style , you should see (_______'s) work, she's wonderfull. (this was all from a "friend" of mine)
of course this wasn't a compliment.....I like any kind of compliments so far....

Like I said lately: "The only thing you can do is start all over" when I'm finally happy with the result.

Mine is "That one looks better than the last one" or when I try to show it to someone I know they say "uh huh", I'm stairing at them like what is that suppost to mean??? One of the main reason why when I do work on something everyone is in bed....

When people take the time to look at my creations and then further to give me comments or even compliments about them, I know that they mean them kindly, so I will not get offended. If they give me negative critic that's fine too - they must think I have the ability to improve.

But I understand how some compliments, that were meant as positive, can be a little annoying. It's those compliments that while sounding nice actually diminshes the work of the artist. Especially "that looks just like a photograph" (which I will never get, because I don't work in a realistic style) - it seems to imply that there is nothing in that drawing that couldn't be captured with a camera in 1/100th the time. The commenter doesn't appreciate the personal work of the artist. However - I think it is often meant as a high compliment to the technique... Another one that I know annoys many artists is: "you have a true talent", which feels like someone is thinking you could just turn out art from the moment you were born and have never had to work hard and practise, practise, practise. Which is of course not the case. Again, however, I think it is probably someone trying to say something nice to you, and unfortunately stepping on one of your pet peeves. What is a compliment to one, is an offense to another. I always try to take compliments in the spirit they are meant even if the wording isn't to my liking.

In all honesty, I think you guys are a bit hypersensitive.

We're just responding to the question...

I see where Venus is coming from here.
"Who the h*** is that supposed to be?!" is what my father used to say. He thought it was all a waste of time. So I dont show him anymore

i hate it when someone looks at it and says NOTHING! just NOTHING!!

When I've spent at least 16 hours on a drawing, my pet hate, and I know it IS meant as a complement, is "lovely sketch"!!!

Like Marie I'll take anything in the spirit that I assume it was given - even though they may not realise it could sound diminishing or patronizing. But then again I have no appreciation for the mathematical mind - I just don't speak the same language!

The worst comment I have ever had was when I picked up a framed piece and took it back to work, after lunch. My Director asked to see it - it was a tasteful nude, and she commented that it was obviously an aboriginal. I was horrified! I was working with a racist! The nude in question had her face hidden by a curtain of straight hair and was Purple!!! She said she wasn't white so she just assumed.

That proves the John Houseman point in 'Paper Chase'. When you assume you make *** out of you and me!

Worst comment I ever had on a piece of mine!!

very very well said

I hate when someone looks at my cartoon drawing or a doodle and says "What the heck are you doing? Why don't you draw with your CP? I just love those drawings of yours." I'm drawing what I want and when I want. [and, of course, when I have time.] I don't think that cartoons < realistic art. That sounds stupid to me.



P.S. I will try to explain what I mean when I say these:

"That looks like a photo!" - You're very skilled. I'm jealous. I haven't seen the ref. photo or I don't remember it. And really... I don't mean that artists are just copying photographs.

"You're really talented" - You were born with ability to draw very good and you managed to exhibit it. I understand that you have been working hard to draw like you draw now.

I like all comments, except one: "It's alright, practice makes perfect" When i've tried to draw well.
I also don't like it when someone stares at it for a couple of seconds and says "yeah" in a bored kind of way.

I'm not a big fan of:
-"I've seen better".

For me, I don't like when someone looks at my drawings for a second and says " Yeah, yeah, good drawing...". Anyway I'm very pleased when someone complimets my pictures. And I don't take any compliments offensive. I always know that there was a good thing they've wanted to say. I don't think of any bad connections. So I'm very glad when my art teacher takes a minute to say " Oh, it's so beautifull, I like it very much etc.". Though it's sometimes emberesing, it always motivates me.

I usually don't care too much about comments that are made by people who don't know what drawing is and involves. I think that comments and critics made by artist are the most constructive.

Wow I have read through some of these answers and from some of them I found that the people who are giving you comments are just rude lol I think we need to remember that an Artist ( and some hate that term also ) I feel a true artist is mnore then one who draws well ..i think they see more behind the perfect lines as Ernest says " Thats looks like a photograph " well some do look very real ..its just some do not put it in the words we like ...myself If someone says ..I have seen better ..my answer would be ..So have I lol and I ..because there is always someone out there better at drawing then the next person ...I think it takes a rude person to come off like that ...I can take the most simplest drawing and find quality in it ...some say or call me the " feel good opinion person " well maybe so .. but I know one thing if I comment on your work ...it is for one reason ....I liked it

The worst for me is simply when a person who has never tried to draw in their life tells me I'm so lucky to have this talent. The amount of effort, frustration and self-doubt I've had over the past two and a half years improving my drawing skill is only now beginning to really show results. Telling me I just have this ability anyway without listening when I explain it was 99% practice and hard work really annoys me. Partly because the person is missing out on so much by believing they'll never draw.

I believe that some people just can not draw ....and wish they could ..no matter how much they practice they just cant seem to get it right...some people are born to be good Doctors sure anyone can go through the schooling ...but I believe that some just have the gift ( another word many people do not like lol) but I feel its true...we all have something we are good at its just a matter of finding it and tuning it .

Oh, I agree with that. I'm referring to people in my life who have never put in any effort. It isn't their fault because growing up they heard it from their elders. Even the art classes I went to never really taught drawing as a skill. You just sat down and tried to render something to the best of your ability. I've learned more in the past two months being involved with online communities and books than I ever did in six years. I just know that another person like me could do the exact same. And I wish they would too because there's little else like it.

I agree with you on the whole "talent" thing- when people say I'm talented, I want to say, "no, I'm not talented, I'm just hardworking. If you painted for hours every weekend, too, you would be as good as I am."

I also hate when people say, "you have potential". I mean, I belive everyone has the potential to be good at something, but only people who work hard or have a passion for it get really good.

[My favorite compliment: my art teacher said she wished she could draw as well as I do. ]

That must've made your week!

It's funny how this thread, compared to the positive thread antagonist to this one, survives and evolves...It tells about manhood...

Just a thought

Think positive! Good things come to you when you do.

Sorry for this philosophy, the wine...

My wife looks at a drawing I show her and says, "yeah...that's nice", in a flat tone of voice.( like you just told her you found a lost sock in the laundry) My son has a modified version, "oh..yeah OK". What it says is, they're not really interested.
John

I have looked through your Gallery John and I say ... beautiful work .. well done ...but I think rather then thinking they are not interested n your work I think family members get used to seeing it ...I never show my work to people ....if they see me drawing that is one thing ...sometimes they comment other times they dont ....I dont think it is that they are not interested at all ..its good work and i think they are used to seeing your work .

Kim, Thanks for your positive comments, they're highly valued from someone of your accomplishment; I'll try to take encouragement from them

John

Well I don't mind any kind of comments, we all like to get the positive ones as it makes us feel good, but I don't mind the not so good ones [ as long as they are not rude to me]
because I know I'm not that good yet and I can only get better in time, if some one just writes Great or Beautiful that's ok with me because maybe they haven't got time or don't know what to say, some don't like being a art critics.

WHAT really bugs the **** out of me is when I visit the Gallery pg and see a great drawing/painting and see its had some thing like 100 or more views and no one has even said
I like it or great, if you take the trouble to look at some ones art I think you should take the trouble to post some thing even if it's to say may be if you try this or that go darker,lighter what ever that's how we learn.
But that's just me.
Well now I have got that off my chest, I hope you all have a great day and keep doing the time and effort it takes to make the Great drawing/paintings you all do so well.

I hate it when someone says, "you traced that didn't ya?" and you are looking at the reference subject through a magnifying glass right in front of them...."Slap"

Yes.. I hate the "Oh, I See" (over tones of thats not hard anyone can do it) when they find out I used a projector to enlarge the original. As if the use of a single tool magicaly made the applicaiton of the media less difficult.

Happened just the other day.. OH these are beautiful you are amazing! Wife chimes in, he uses a projector to trace the reference lines. "Oh.. .. I see...."

I hate that one too. and I hate the one before us just as much. why go look at something and not say anything at all. Is this our community or not?!! or how about this, I do not try to sell my art. every time I do, it is mostly by accident, works for hire notwithstanding, so my neighbor says .." you got paid how much for a stupid piece of paper...!"

My most hurtful comment is the non-comment; sad child that I am, I'm still desperate for my family's approval and when I email them my latest (to me) stunning masterpiece and two weeks later, not a word in reply, that stings

thank god for the forums where complete strangers are more interested in your art than your own family!!!

gecko99

Indeed, this is my personal theory as to why Van Gogh went mad; it happened slowly, over the years, a little bit more each time he showed a painting to his parents.

So that's what happened to me!!

John

If we wait around for someone to say " beautiful job " or " I wish I could do that " ect...we will go mad . Myself i do not draw for others but for myself .. i used it as a tool as a younger child to help me rid myself of anger and saddness ...I was lonely growing up and my best friend was my pencil and any paper I could find ...drawing took me to a place where all is ok .....so I never get mad if someone says " did you trace that " ( I dont get that at all nowadays but I use to ) I just shrug my shoulders and say ...no ...because it did not matter to me what they thought .....inside i beemed because it must have looked nice enought for them to ask that

On the comments thing ...I look and dont comment all the time ...I miss alot of work that gets pushed by too quickly because someone will add 15 drawings at a time ...I do not care so much for that ...but many times I will look at the art ....but if I comment its because the piece stood out to me ...its kinda like when im shopping .. I look at everything ( come on I am a woman ) lol but if I pick it up and really look at it ...well its kinda like making a comment on the item .

Specifically, I was referring to work that is magnified, because of visual dysfunction, right before their eyes. Not so much a finished work hanging on a wall or something already completed. Like now, I mean right this minute, I am working on a piece that my neighbor asked me to do for his wife's portfolio, It is ..whats the word...cheesecake, pin-up. I suppose if it was computerized it would be a vector portrait, But because I am working from a 4x6 in. photo that is attached to a clothespin hanger, it is under a magnifier, and I am working 11 x17 inch cold pressed, watercolor wash and soluble graphite. However everything that you state or allude to, is how it should be, I understand that aloneness being raised in foster care, one can stand in a crowd and be completely alone from that perspective. Art is a personal thing. I also do not look at everything, unless it catches my eye, perhaps I do a dis-service But I do not mean to do such. I have always been uncomfortable showing art and as I have said many times too many people, I do not stand well under critique, from a personal point of view. However, If I do post a thing online or anywhere for inspection, it is because I , myself , could not find anything more wrong with it or , I just decided that at some point it had to be finished whether I liked it or not.


wildthinig423

I used to email my art work to my family... no reply.... yes it stings

Dors.

I find that I am not offended by comments that people make, be it good, bad or indifferent. All of us view the world differently and as such, we will all respond to the artwork we are looking at in a personal way. It is a process that is influenced by many factors.

I think it boils down to the reason why you draw, if your only motivation is to receive compliments then you will be affected by other peoples comments. I draw to express my emotions, capture my environment and document what is happening in my life at any point in time.

I upload my work to share the experience with others and archive my progress,

Regards Wayneo