Edit: Forget it
I don't quite understand, but that's just me.
Like, I get the whole idea of drawing something for fun. But when you show it to someone, regardless of who it is, you should expect criticism, especially since it tends to be the first thing that pops into peoples' minds. Or, at least I would think so. Maybe you could have explained that they were just sketches, and you didn't plan on doing anything else with them?
Then, after that little tidbit is out of the way, you could ask what he thought of the content of the pictures, not the quality. I dunno, that's just my two cents.
Like, I get the whole idea of drawing something for fun. But when you show it to someone, regardless of who it is, you should expect criticism, especially since it tends to be the first thing that pops into peoples' minds. Or, at least I would think so. Maybe you could have explained that they were just sketches, and you didn't plan on doing anything else with them?
Then, after that little tidbit is out of the way, you could ask what he thought of the content of the pictures, not the quality. I dunno, that's just my two cents.
While I don't draw personally, I totally get how that response feels. On my end, at least! I enjoy doing photo manipulations as well as other creative-funsies, such as poetry and the like. To me, I find it rude when a person critiques another without proper context. By this, I mean there are definitely appropriate times to judge someone's work. Say it's posted online among similar artists, or more importantly -- the artist asks for tips/advice! But if artwork is simply shown to another, jumping at the chance to critique without offering to do so comes across as rude to me. 
Edit: Forget it
Pomkeki wrote:
I'm glad someone knows how it feels! I find it so very odd that this is the knee-jerk response to art. If you were friends with a nurse and she came to you wanting to talk about her career, would you respond with "Yeah you're a pretty okay nurse, but you'll get better in time"?
Yes, exactly! With that setting it would easily be seen as inappropriate, but anything creative seems to encourage judgement, sadly. Thankfully there are lots of pleasant people to still have fun art-chatting with.
Wishing you all the best!
it's a tricky situation for sure. generally the knee-jerk advice reaction is always with good intentions, but i get that it can be disheartening to be super proud of something and then have someone's first response be "that's good BUT". i've been on both sides of this situation, having accidentally hurt someone and been hurt by unexpected critique.
on one hand, it's a way to discuss the piece in more depth, to show interest. there was a time when i actually felt i might seem insincere or even dismissive by always giving only praise, and figured that so long as it's constructive it can only be a positive thing. i never realized how it might feel until i took up art seriously myself, to share a WIP that i already know shows areas of doubt, only for those fears to be magnified with disregard to the parts i was successful at. (or asked "is this colour scheme okay?" to receive "yes but the face is wonky".)
i've learned that if i'm really not wanting critique at the time then it's best to preface my sharing of art with a little note acknowledging the fact it's a heavy WIP, or that i'm aware it has flaws, and to direct the person to what i'd like feedback on (or just chat about) instead. that way my friends know exactly how to help!
on one hand, it's a way to discuss the piece in more depth, to show interest. there was a time when i actually felt i might seem insincere or even dismissive by always giving only praise, and figured that so long as it's constructive it can only be a positive thing. i never realized how it might feel until i took up art seriously myself, to share a WIP that i already know shows areas of doubt, only for those fears to be magnified with disregard to the parts i was successful at. (or asked "is this colour scheme okay?" to receive "yes but the face is wonky".)
i've learned that if i'm really not wanting critique at the time then it's best to preface my sharing of art with a little note acknowledging the fact it's a heavy WIP, or that i'm aware it has flaws, and to direct the person to what i'd like feedback on (or just chat about) instead. that way my friends know exactly how to help!
(I know it's like two days late but I just got on and its a great subject. 
)
Generally when someone shows me something of theirs, I tend to point out the parts of the pieces that I really enjoy (while making comments on the parts that might could be a bit different, which I approach gently), which can range from the way a certain line was applied, to the color scheme, to simply the subject itself, and usually I like to give the artist a chance to explain their choices, or inspiration, and then I tend to lead some conversation from that, usually commenting a bit on how I might have done it, since styles are different after all.
Getting general answers I can understand the frustration in definitely. When I show my work to someone, I usually want the full of their thoughts on it, not whether it's good or not, and if it is bad, usually I've already come to the conclusion that it isn't good. It seems people are more willing to avoid the possibility of hurting your feelings than they are to give you their thoughts and take on something.
My biggest annoyance is getting straight up dismissed. As in when you show someone your art and you can tell they're actively trying to get away from the subject.
)Generally when someone shows me something of theirs, I tend to point out the parts of the pieces that I really enjoy (while making comments on the parts that might could be a bit different, which I approach gently), which can range from the way a certain line was applied, to the color scheme, to simply the subject itself, and usually I like to give the artist a chance to explain their choices, or inspiration, and then I tend to lead some conversation from that, usually commenting a bit on how I might have done it, since styles are different after all.
Getting general answers I can understand the frustration in definitely. When I show my work to someone, I usually want the full of their thoughts on it, not whether it's good or not, and if it is bad, usually I've already come to the conclusion that it isn't good. It seems people are more willing to avoid the possibility of hurting your feelings than they are to give you their thoughts and take on something.
My biggest annoyance is getting straight up dismissed. As in when you show someone your art and you can tell they're actively trying to get away from the subject.
When I was starting out with art, I had one friend who would go out of his way to pick apart my art and nitpick tiny details. And I know he meant well. He really just wanted to give me advice so I could grow. But it was always really disheartening. I would have spent hours on the picture and still been fundamentally unhappy with it. I knew it was riddled with errors, and having him point them out was adding salt to the wound.
Now that I'm a less self conscious about my work I take feedback much better but it still falls into three categories.
1. Input noted, but I think you're wrong.
2. Input noted but we're far past the point where it can be easily fixed.
3. Input noted, let me just go fix that.
I personally don't provide critique unless it's specifically asked for. I don't know where the artist is on their art journey, and even the purpose behind the art could make input unwanted or hurtful.
Now that I'm a less self conscious about my work I take feedback much better but it still falls into three categories.
1. Input noted, but I think you're wrong.
2. Input noted but we're far past the point where it can be easily fixed.
3. Input noted, let me just go fix that.
I personally don't provide critique unless it's specifically asked for. I don't know where the artist is on their art journey, and even the purpose behind the art could make input unwanted or hurtful.
Edit: Forget it
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