F.M.C.s (Frequently Made Complaints)
You are reading this in case you received a critique for your art, and are not happy with it. Yes, xomplaints (a.k.a. excuses) are so repetitive you can actually make a how-to guide to respond using common sense.
A.-You are hurting my (their) feelings.
Please indicate with quotes where there are straight insults, disrespectful use of sarcasm, or simply a mock to the offended person.
Note: notice that any lack of compliments is by no means a form of offense. It’s just a lack of compliments.
B.-It’s my (their) style.
Style, in arts, refers to a series of features which identifies the work of a particular person from the work of other people. Such features are under complete control of the artist, so they can freely manipulate them at will. Issues with anatomy, finish, organization, or pretty much any other technical aspect is very unlikely to be a form of style.
C.-You are not a pro. You can’t criticize me/others.
You don’t need to be an expert chef to tell people the food doesn’t taste good because the steak is raw, the potatoes are burnt, and the milk is spoiled. Or do you?
Answer: No, you don’t.
UPDATE: I read what TD-Vice said about being a “connoisseur” as a pre-requisite to give “constructive” criticism. Guess what? I do know what I’m talking about. At least for low, low level amateurs. Such as you (them).
D.-That’s how I (they) learn/everybody learns differently.
Although it’s a correct statement, your (their) methods is not adequate since it doesn’t bring all the necessary information you (they) require in order to master the skills necessary for your (their) pretentions, as well as fixing up the issues at hand.
E.-Art is not my life/It’s a hobby/I don’t look forward a career in arts.
AGE QUOD AGIS: Anything you do, does it right.
Otherwise, if you are not putting the necessary effort into it, you would be better practicing any other activity you (they) deem as important; or where you (they) perform better. I guess you know the right direction to the TV and the bag of Cheetoh’s.
F.-Your English is not good enough, your argument is invalid.
The porpoise of the critique is to point out flaws in ART. Unless critiques and advice are made unintelligible, it’s unimportant whether English is not good enough.
G.-Art doesn’t have standards.
Although there are no words written in stone, depending on the subject you engage in, there are generally perceived standards, or expectations. Just watch around for the actual best there is. Not what you perceive the best is.
H.-You are not being constructive/you should give constructive criticism.
Re-read the critique I made to find actual, easy-to-do, exercises, guidelines; or advice on how to improve. If you can’t find them, either you are stupid; or you don’t get them well. Notify of grammar and spelling issues to fix the aforementioned indications.
I.-I (they) have improved over time.
Generally, improvements are easily noticeable, and quite often, they are made on important issues. Small improvement over short time is a good thing. Small improvement over long time is actually stagnation. Especially when there are more important issues left unattended for so long.
J.-Nobody asked you/it’s free/don’t like, don’t watch it/you can’t judge me (them)/nobody can judge anyone.
If you (they) don’t like feedback; or prefer positive feedback only, you (they) shouldn’t be displaying this publicly. Feedback, good or bad, is a common happening in social interaction with other people outside our inner circles of friends and family. Otherwise, you should keep it from the reach of other people to prevent “negative” feedback; or “trolling”.
Note: Constructive criticism as it follows is not negative feedback. Refer to point A and G.
K.-I’m self-taught/I learned by myself
If you (they) have issues (See point I); or your performance over time has been lackluster (see point G), then your chosen learning methods are not working out (see point D).
L.-Adults don’t always know best.
Although there are child geniuses, they are a rare occurrence. And more importantly, IF they are right, no adult will contradict them. Or the adult will admit they did wrong. If that doesn’t happen, it’s very likely you (they) are not the genius (es) you (they) think you (they) are.
M.-There are other people which also does bad, why don’t you go after them? /other people do worse than I/others do wrong as well, go after them instead.
Everybody’s got their turn. None excluded. Guess whose turn this is.
N.-You don’t know me (them)/I’m (they are) a good person/what have I (they) done to you?
No personal feelings. I won’t object that you may be a good person, but my interest here is not your, but your actions regarding art. Mostly, for the ART. So, for all I care, you can be a saint or a murderer that all I care for is the stuff you have drawn or painted.
O.-You are jealous because I (they) have more page views/I (they) have page views, I’m (they are) better than you (anyone).
You don’t need page views when you can provide with facts; or constructive criticism. Besides the only thing affected by listening to constructive criticism are page views. And only positively if you (they) follow advice. Otherwise, bragging about having page views is like bragging about being millionaire in Monopoly.
P.-It’s the best I (they) can do/I’m (they’re) doing my (their) best!
I won’t deny it. Anyways, I’m pointing out where did they do wrong; and how can they fix it. Otherwise, see points A, B, G, F, and I.
Q.-At least I (they) have done something, what about you?/ I’m (they are) better than you.
Re-read point C, O, and P.
R.-I am (they are) my (their) own (best, most strict, etc.) critic(s).
If you (they) have got issues for so long, your (their) critic haven’t do their job.
S.-You (Nobody) can’t define Art.
Actually, you (they) have no idea of what you (they) are doing. And you (they) are trying to reflect that ignorance on their critics in order to make them feel guilty so they quit. If they do, they gave up on trying giving you a hand (Read Point A over again).
Exceptions:
This goddamned place has a GODDAMNED user's Terms and Policies. If you thought this place was a fancy photobucket, you pretty much deserve every time you got your feelings hurt. And maybe more. Keep it up with the "Ah doo wadevah Ah wan'". Meanwhile, I'll ask a quadriplegic guy to help me count all the fucks I give.
The other exceptions are the lazy fucks with a bloated egos who think they are above everything. Those retards DEMAND to have their inferiority complex kicked in the balls.