Ask before you Critique

So along with the "let's attack the artist for what they draw by linking it to some nonsense issue the artist may not even support they just like drawing what they want" I've been seeing an increase of "oooo if someone posts up an art piece online it MUST MEAN i need to critique it."

This doesn't apply to people on DA who have the "critique requested" feature added. They obviously want critiques and are asking for it so go for it.

Just because you see the artwork, doesn't mean it's looking for any sort of critique and society lately has turned into a "judge all instead of enjoy some" thing.

I'm not talking about my work, what i post i'm often asking for suggestions and help. What i more mean this morning i saw someone do a paint over of Artgerm's work..something so stupidly little (they changed the eyebrow placement..that's it) and made a HUGE fuss over it. As a former CV (volunteer) on DeviantArt i saw this happen to DD's ALOT. No one asking "hey i have a couple suggestions, mind if i send a critique?" no just shoving a critique down their throats before saying anything else. Sometimes masking it as "oh this is good..Buuuuutttttttt." etc. I know i was guilty of this in the past and i've done wonders to improve and stop it.

No you don't have the right to critique someone's work just because you see it. If you think this way or try to moralize it by "oh it's on an artsite i must be able too!" then you have been brainwashed by societies negative standings towards art. Not only is it bad manners but you are forcing something on someone (ie: your opinion. Yes this is exactly what you are doing and if you are against someone forcing their views/beliefs/etc on you well then you're being a hypocrite if you're doing it to artists) which isn't proper or the right thing to do. 

Moral of the story:

why not ask the artist before you waste your time critiquing them. Not every art piece online ever that someone posts they want critiques from. Some people just want to show people what they've been working on, and others just seem to rather watch the world burn and tare it apart. You can't get away from critics and people taring it apart but i know there's a lot of good people not realizing their intentions aren't so pure because they see someone else do it so it must be okay for them too.

Kinda like if you saw someone push a kid down a flight of stairs and then you go and do it too because "well that kid did it!". Just because others are in poor taste, doesn't mean you should be.  Yes forcing your negative opinions on someone is in poor taste no matter how well intentioned you may think it is. DA has a lovely feature where artists can right in the comments they want critiques, OR activate the request critique function on their piece with they are a premium member. Otherwise? they aren't asking for it so why not do the proper thing and ask before you force it on someone? I guarantee you asking will take a lot less time then you trying to formulate a critique that doesn't automatically offend. (yes: critiques of "this sucks" i'm looking at you).


Take some time today, go find artwork you like and praise it. Take the time out of your day to brighten someone elses because i guarantee you being an artist they are forced with people forcing their opinions on them, critiquing them and otherwise not understanding their pieces A LOT. Be a nice change of pace to spread a little love eh?