[Silens]

I've visited other forums aplenty. I've looked at people who have painted miniatures on other websites and I've trawled through the comments and no matter where I go I am always left sighing and thinking to myself "It's not Heresy...".

On most forums, the general consensus seems to be that everybody is fucking AWESOME at painting. 1 inch thick of paint? AWESOME. Prominent mold lines? AWESOME. Something out of the "Pro-painted. Seriously?" thread? AWESOME. Everything is AWESOME. Everybody is AWESOME at painting and anybody who might hurt this frail illusion of AWESOME is most certainly not AWESOME. A lot of these places will bitch and moan at you for suggesting that someone's work won't win them the slayer sword (Dakka and Warseer come to mind, though I've not been there in a while).

There are a few forums, where there is no general consensus. Everybody just posts what they're working on and nobody comments. It's not good. It's not bad. It just is. (/tg/ comes to mind).

Then a few select places like CMON. Most of the stuff there IS awesome, but everybody is ready and raring to criticise, but that's the end of the line. "I don't like x." "Y could be different." and nobody seems to get any real feedback.


And then there's Heresy. A blend of the above 3 (well, two of them), which alone are all shitty in their own special way, but together? Together they make something great. A whole great than the sum of it's parts. Everybody is AWESOME because they're here and trying their best and improving. Near enough everybody gets criticised (even the pros!) on their work, and not "You fucking SUUUUCK!" but real, useful criticism. This might be the linch pin to what makes this particular forum great. We give CONSTRUCTIVE criticism. On top of this, I notice that the good aspects will be pointed out as well. "You've done X really well. I'm not sure about Y, maybe try this..."

Something looks off? We point it out and we suggest ways to improve. We help each other out and every one of us is better off for it. This attitude seems to be rare and Heresy is the only community I've found online which embraces this manta of constructive criticism.

This is just part of what makes this forum the BEST wargaming forum on the internet. Keep up the amazing work heretics! Love ya'.

 

[Tawa]

Couldn't agree more

 

[Nordicus]

Having my own plog I couldn't agree more - It's also why I have it. The knowledge that is around this forum and the way people approach each others work is great for getting better at what you do.

Keep in mind though, that reaction usually force the feedback in one direction or another. What you see on other forums is a product of valuable feedback being twisted and turned into something bad, so people stopped doing it. It is important that everyone is able to take the constructive criticism and use it properly for it to flourish.

That being said, I really value the way we do it. I can see a lot of views on painting logs, so they are obviously popular. Let's keep them that way :good:

 

[humakt]

We did have a phase of 'everything is awesome'.

But the mod staff and some of the older members made a concerted effort to encourage constructive helpful critics of posts. This was a few years ago and it seems to have stuck. Personally I welcome people giving me criticism on my work. It helps me improve, and if I don't agree with it, I can always ignore it.

 

[DeathKlokk]

I usually post "fuck you, just tell me it's awesome!" if I don't want any criticism.

lol

There's trying to find something good about a model and then there's outright lying. Heresy is good about being objective and encouraging.

 

[falcoso]

I also always find that Heresy aways has plenty of details to questions asked for instance several times I have asked people how they have achieved certain affects and they have been more than happy to help and give details about techniques and olours, whereas a lot of others I see is 'Oh I belnded through some blues' which isn't helpful to anyone. Everyone supports each other here and no one takes affoense at anything constructive.

 

[alasdair]

I like to think that Heresy is a bit more mature than the other forums in addition.

 

[Squire]

Don't know if this really fits the topic of the thread but it's something I've noticed on various forums and wondered if anyone agrees. I think orks (generally, obviously not in all cases) attract a lower level of painter than most other factions, and the response on forums to poorly painted orks always seems to be 'Very orky!' as if painting orks allows you to paint like an ork and get a free pass

Maybe I should make a thread about correlations between good/bad painters and certain factions

 

[Loki1416]

If your honest opinion about something I've painted is that it sucks, then tell me. There are always ways to say something that doesnt have to be rude. Telling someone what is wrong/doesnt look right, with ideas on how to fix it, helps them improve. Telling someone that their work is shit and they should just throw everything they have away because they will never be any good, is just plain being an asshat.

 

[Moriouce]

Don't know if this really fits the topic of the thread but it's something I've noticed on various forums and wondered if anyone agrees. I think orks (generally, obviously not in all cases) attract a lower level of painter than most other factions, and the response on forums to poorly painted orks always seems to be 'Very orky!' as if painting orks allows you to paint like an ork and get a free pass

Maybe I should make a thread about correlations between good/bad painters and certain factions

I know myself on this one! Now I don't see myself as a low-level-painted but I do tend to be more sloppy when painting my orks thinking just this, it looks orky. Haha!

 

[Tawa]

If your honest opinion about something I've painted is that it sucks, then tell me. There are always ways to say something that doesnt have to be rude. Telling someone what is wrong/doesnt look right, with ideas on how to fix it, helps them improve. Telling someone that their work is shit and they should just throw everything they have away because they will never be any good, is just plain being an asshat.

This. :goodpost:

 

[Matcap]

I have to say that a large part of my progress as a painter, has been because of the commentary, inspiration and genuine feedback on these forums... so thanks for that people! :good:

 

[Kreuger]

@Silens, I've seen great work on other forums but I tend to find the personalities less interesting, and with fewer valuable things to say.

I tend to think Heresy's community is often guilty of responding too "nicely" with the "everything is awesome attitude" when it often is mediocre. And while I'm all for praise and moral support, I think it often goes too far.

I always try to offer constructive criticism, but I end up biting my tongue almost as often as I comment. If I think something is poorly done, after the member has received a train of praise I'll just sounds like an ass telling them so. So I don't respond.

We've also had a few people over the years who have taken constructive criticism very poorly.

 

[Silens]

@Silens, I've seen great work on other forums but I tend to find the personalities less interesting, and with fewer valuable things to say.

I tend to think Heresy's community is often guilty of responding too "nicely" with the "everything is awesome attitude" when it often is mediocre. And while I'm all for praise and moral support, I think it often goes too far.

I always try to offer constructive criticism, but I end up biting my tongue almost as often as I comment. If I think something is poorly done, after the member has received a train of praise I'll just sounds like an ass telling them so. So I don't respond.

We've also had a few people over the years who have taken constructive criticism very poorly.

Everything is awesome is a fine attitude to have when it's accompanied by some honest criticism. "Wow that looks really good! You need to work on X, Y and Z though."

Nobody gains from "DAMN that looks shite. Look at X, Y and Z!!" (I appreciate this is an exaggeration). That being said, nobody gains from "DAMN that looks AMAZING." and then no criticism. We give people praise so they don't leave the hobby, whilst also encouraging them to improve and guiding their improvement (with constructive criticism) at the same time. I also like to think that we criticise everybody, not just the noobs. I know that I've pointed out things which I wasn't a fan of in the work of professional painters leaps and bounds ahead of me in skill. I do think that a lot of people on Heresy (and probably other websites) are scared to offer their criticisms to people who are significantly "better" than them, but if something doesn't look right then maybe it isn't right. Point it out.

You shouldn't hold your tongue from giving some constructive criticism and anybody who reacts unreasonably badly to constructive criticism deserves a slap.

 

[Silens]

Don't know if this really fits the topic of the thread but it's something I've noticed on various forums and wondered if anyone agrees. I think orks (generally, obviously not in all cases) attract a lower level of painter than most other factions, and the response on forums to poorly painted orks always seems to be 'Very orky!' as if painting orks allows you to paint like an ork and get a free pass

Maybe I should make a thread about correlations between good/bad painters and certain factions

I find it weird that this is the case as Orks intimidate me by being one of the most difficult to paint factions (IMO). Clean, pristine armour from the likes of Eldar or certain Space Marines? Bring it on! I love pristine stuff! I don't have a knack for weathering though.