Turning Critique Showplace.

[CHJ]

Following an approach from another member I wondered if a thread specifically inviting discussion would be in order, no one wants to risk discouraging new starters from posting their efforts by putting forward comments that might be construed as criticism of their efforts, and this way only those people deliberately opening themselves up for critiques could post here.

For starters as a very simple example, ( I'm not into artistic bits) I am not happy with this simple cake stand and may rework it.

I wonder if others see what I do not think is 'right' about it.

 

[jaymar]

For me the base is too large and heavy looking. I try (I repeat try) for elegance in pieces I turn. I am my worst critic though so you obviously are the same so perhaps the idea of a thread to criticize( constructively) is superfluous)
Jaymar

 

[wizer]

I, on the other hand, like the chunkiness (if u can call it that) of the base.

Very nice indeed

 

[ctb]

For me the base is too large and heavy looking. I try (I repeat try) for elegance in pieces I turn. I am my worst critic though so you obviously are the same so perhaps the idea of a thread to criticize( constructively) is superfluous)
Jaymar

I tend to agree with Jaymar on the piece, but think the idea for the thread is a good one, although we all strive for perfection, sometimes we get a shape or form stuck in our heads and cannot see an alternative.

I back the idea and will post some future work

 

[Adam]

I think it looks a bit chunky in the base, and also does it have a gloss finish? It looks like it should be matt, to bring the look of the grain out better?

Adam

 

[Argee]

I think that the proportions of the maximum base diameter to the platter diameter are correct, but that the stand has "too much wood in it," if you see what I mean? A little more removed would have given the lightness the piece does seem to lack, IMO.

I think that, as we're generally such a civilised lot on here, we already provide constructive criticism, trying not to put off newbies. Given that, maybe another specific thread might be a waste?

Ray.

 

[wood yew believe it !]

dont know how i feel bout this one, if im not happy with the piece im working on, then it doesn't come off the lathe till i am happy! and then i personally dont realy care what others think, some may like, others may not, as we have seen on this thread already with the cake stand. beauty is always in the eye of the beholder, but as you did say it would only b 4 people who realy wanted their work critiqued.

atb dave

 

[Bodrighy]

I have found that virtually everyone on here is prepared to both give and accept critique. Design is very much an objective issue whilst technique, for newbies like me, is always open to advice and criticism. Most of the work that I have put up here is worthy of criticism and whilst I don't expect everyone to like what I do (unlike you Chas, I like trying the more arty stuff...that's why I have so many failures perhaps? :lol: ) I would hope that everyone feels free to tell me where I can improve.

Pete

 

[duncanh]

Critiquing is extremely useful but I'm not sure a separate thread is needed, and it probably wouldn't work well ...

if person A posts an image which users critique, then person B posts an image which users critique, a new user then wants to critique person A's first post - their comment will appear after critiques for person B. It would get very confusing.

If someone wants a critique when they post images then they could request them at the time. Maybe if there was a sticky in the forum to mention this.

As for your cake stand Chas it would be useful to see the full profile. To me it looks as though the base is too wide and too high (but the height might be a requirement if the stand is for lifting a displayed cake above other cakes on a table).
On a more general note I hope that you don't mind me saying that I think your turnings in general might look better against less brightly coloured backgrounds (mainly the reds and blues that you use). White or gray would be much less distracting.

Duncan

 

[CHJ]

Critiquing is extremely useful but I'm not sure a separate thread is needed, and it probably wouldn't work well ...

if person A posts an image which users critique, then person B posts an image which users critique, a new user then wants to critique person A's first post - their comment will appear after critiques for person B. It would get very confusing.

If someone wants a critique when they post images then they could request them at the time. Maybe if there was a sticky in the forum to mention this.

Do you think in that case a "store" thread somewhat as per Tony's "Interesting Pieces of Furniture" holding successive links would be of use as a reference, with individuals posting pieces with specific reference to "critique required" in the heading might be the way to go.

As for your cake stand Chas it would be useful to see the full profile. To me it looks as though the base is too wide and too high (but the height might be a requirement if the stand is for lifting a displayed cake above other cakes on a table).

The height is a requirement but as the general consensus so far seems to agree, I feel the base has weight problem and should have had a much slimmer profile. ( it was turned to the same dimensions as larger diameter plates on which the base looks more balanced as part of a demo thread without much thought to the object itself.)

On a more general note I hope that you don't mind me saying that I think your turnings in general might look better against less brightly coloured backgrounds (mainly the reds and blues that you use). White or gray would be much less distracting.
Duncan

Don't mind at all, reason for doing "the colours" was to see if there was any reaction having seen great debates elsewhere on background colour presentation etc.

Thanks for the input so far from everyone else.

 

[NickWelford]

I'm with Duncan on this. Perhaps anyone inviting a critique should just post in the turning section with CRITIQUE as the first word in the subject.

I like the cake stand, but it is a bit thick in the base. And it has no cakes......

 

[Anonymous]

The cake stand looks good but I think it would be easier to visualise with a cake on it and possibly sat in the middle of a table. With a cake on it I could say whether it looks top/bottom heavy and whether it detracts or adds to the beauty of the cake.

I think it's important to get some critique as it's not always easy to see the problems yourself. I've already worked on pieces where I've had trouble getting the curves right. I tend to use SWMBO for advice though as her taste is very similar to mine.

Do I really care what other people on the forum think about my work? Probably not if they don't like it. I've put the photo up cos I'm proud of it, not because I want criticism.

Dave

 

[Hans]

Hi Chas,

it would help if people inviting critique would make that clear in the subject. Something like comments please.

Personally, I will give praise (even unasked) only when I see something exceptional. I am none too fond of the forums where every piece is showered with praise.

Critique often leads to contrasting views on 'rules' (golden or otherwise) of design, leading to discussions that are fruitless in my opinion. A forum where critical comments are frequently used might be interesting for members reading German: forum of German turners

Brian Clifford's remarks on analysis of turnings could be useful for comments on turnings: (Analytical tools halfway down the page).

Regarding your cake stand Chas, I could have made the lower part of the foot as wide as you did, but would have given it a slender waist, becoming wider at the top of the stand with a diameter of approx. two thirds of the widest part of the foot. Also I would abandon the bead halfway.
Well I like them slender.

Hans

 

[Paul.J]

Chas.
I think it is a good idea,but seeing as how i'm new to this and so are quite a few others,i wouldn't feel that it was my place to critisize someone elses work unless asked,mainly because as as been said everbodys view is different,and i still don't know what i'm rteally doing :?
When i started putting my pieces on here i was asking for remarks critical or otherwise which i knew would be of benefit to me especially from the more experienced turners.
Even now when i see some of the pros pieces i think it's not worth putting my piece on here when you compare.

Why should a piece be turned down to 6mm wall thickness,why shouldn't a piece have an heavy bottom. :?:
I think the only pieces i have critisized were Deans when he asked for remarks as to where he was going wrong,but i didn't feel comfortable with what i said :!: :!:
As for your cake stand Chas to me it will do the job it is made for holding a cake and my thinking is that it is a sturdy base and won't get knocked over easily.I like it. So there.
Hope some of this makes sense. :roll:
Paul.J.

 

[Alf]

...it has no cakes......

Nail. Head. End of thread. :wink:

Cheers, Alf

Poet. Know it.

 

[CHJ]

...it has no cakes......

Nail. Head. End of thread. :wink:

Cheers, Alf

Poet. Know it.

After my last mention of food in the turning section I hesitate at putting temptation in front of the more physically vulnerable members. :lol:

Coat, Gone;

 

[Alf]

Coat, Gone;

Blank verse? How appropriate for a turner... :lol:

 

[duncanh]

Paul - you may consider yourself a beginner turner but I would welcome any comments that you (or others) may want to give me. I wouldn't necessarily expect comments from a beginner to focus on the turning techniques used, but would expect that you could comment on shapes, dimensions, proportions, colours, and what you do and don't like.

For someone who wants to sell their work such artistic critiques could be very valuable since your views may be closer to those of the general buying public than those of someone working over a sketchbook working out ideal designs (not that I spend hours!)

My dad has no training as a wood turner and has very little idea of the process of producing what I make but as an ex art teacher I value his input highly. I value all comments from family and friends and none of them are turners.

Everyone's opinion may be different but it's still useful to hear why someone doesn't like my work. If a reason for this dislike is given then I'll happily take it on board and consider if what has been said would improve my work. If no reason is given then I'll just ignore them.

Hans - I had hoped that the discussion we had about 'rules' was far from fruitless. If it gives inspiration to try something new to at least one reader then we should have more discussions like it.
I tend to do like you and give praise sparingly. I'll only give constructive (or what's intended to be constructive) criticism when it's asked for.

Chas - like you I now prefer to keep posts of my work in a single thread so maybe having a sticky where we can just put links to those threads would work. Or perhaps I should just change the title of my work thread to have 'Critique' in it

Duncan

 

[Bodrighy]

Paul - you may consider yourself a beginner turner but I would welcome any comments that you (or others) may want to give me. I wouldn't necessarily expect comments from a beginner to focus on the turning techniques used, but would expect that you could comment on shapes, dimensions, proportions, colours, and what you do and don't like.

For someone who wants to sell their work such artistic critiques could be very valuable since your views may be closer to those of the general buying public than those of someone working over a sketchbook working out ideal designs (not that I spend hours!)

Duncan

As one of the newbies I agree with the above sentiments from Paul & Duncan. I haven't yet seen anything (apart from my own stuff) that hasn't made me think, "one day....." My taste and ideas for design are not that of an experienced or accomplished turner but of a novice who likes certain styles. There has been work on here that makes me envious of the skill that has gone into it but I would never consider buying it, not my style. having done other craft work and sold it I am all to well aware that when trying to earn money it is necessary to make what other people like, not just what we like our selves. I reckon that the way the forum is is excellent, plenty of good, positive criticism and encouragement as well as plenty of friendly technical help when asked for. Long may it continue.

Here endeth the first lesson :lol:

Pete

 

[Anonymous]

Hans sums up my view...

it would help if people inviting critique would make that clear in the subject. Something like comments please.

Alf
the thought of you waisting away is more than I can bare ( :lol: )

...anyone passing Cornwall, please drop off a cake or two for Alf