to think you shouldn't ask for an 'honest opinion' if you're going to get shirty when you're given it

[freddiefrog]

DH has taken up painting. He's always been arty but has gone into it more seriously now.

He's been doing some painting today and asked for my 'honest opinion' as he felt something wasn't quite right but couldn't put his finger on it

Now, I'm no art critic, but I told him that I thought it was really good but i thought a couple of things were a little out of proportion to each other, hence why it didn't look quite right.

He's now sulking.

Why bloody ask?

Grrrrrr

[marbleslost]

He he St Winifred - a mumsnet crit - now that would be cruel.

[StWinifred]

this thread is worthless without a photo.

[nkf]

I like the sound of that owl/tree picture. Personally, I like bad art by amateurs. I rather think I will take it up when I'm old. Buy a big hat and paint bad watercolours.

[marbleslost]

My dh has also taken up art recently. I go for the "i think the boat on the left needs a bit more work" rather than "they're all out of proportion".

The hardest thing is when he wants to frame them and put them on the walls. Although he has got quite good lately, i just don't want a picture of a cauliflower or red cabbage on my living room wall.

[CogitoErgoSometimes]

YANBU and you were right to tell him the truth. Otherwise he'll be the artistic equivalent of these deluded numpties that appear on talent shows, get slated by the professionals and whine.... but my granny always says I've a lovely singing voice!!!

[Jackin]

I had this, dw came in with a new haircut and asked me what I thought. I told her I didn't like it, which she didn't like. But when it had relaxed a bit it looked great so I told her that too. She then had a go at me telling me to take more time to give a considered response. ARSE.

[Proudnscary]

Eww I do hate a sulker. Draw a stick man doing a wee from the boat and then LTB*

*Leave The Botticelli? Bacon?

[cheekydevil]

Perhaps it was a cruise ship?

[Nagoo]

ivykaty

[freddiefrog]

!!!

[ivykaty44]

He needs to get some perspective on this

[freddiefrog]

Ivykaty

This is a landscape - sea, fishing boat and a lighthouse, except the fishing boat is bigger than the lighthouse. The appearance depthwise isn't quite right if you see what I mean

It is really good though

[YouMayLogOut]

YANBU

[ivykaty44]

an aged aunt used to paint - really only because my grandmother did and painted well - she painted a beautiful owl, but it was twice as big as the tree it was sitting in

[fairyfriend]

Cuttingpicassostoenails- now you sound pompous. The OP's DH sounds like a nice guy!

[cheekydevil]

Sounds a bit like AIBU

[freddiefrog]

I wouldn't mind, but he said himself something was a bit off.

I can't be too nice about it, he might want to hang it up in the living room

[MummytoKatie]

If someone asks for your honest opinion then they really mean they want you to lie convincingly.

[CrapBag]

YANBU. I give honest opinions if asked. If you don't want the truth then don't bloody ask. If you want a lie, go to someone else.

[cuttingpicassostoenails]

Oh dear, he's one of those hobby painters who need to have their egos stroked. If he was serious about his art he would not ask for feedback unless he respected the opinion of the person he was asking and was willing to take on board their comments.

If he cannot take criticism he should not ask for it. As a serious artist he would have to learn to politely ignore comments from anyone whose opinion he does not respect.

A fragile ego in anyone who wants to be an artist is a recipe for unhappiness.

[freddiefrog]

LOL!

[FredFredGeorge]

Was the banana much bigger than the plums in the still life? I think men make that mistake a lot?

[squoosh]

Well he can't be an artist without an artistic arsiness temperament.

[YouSmegHead]

Introduce him to aibu and you'll look like his number one fan

[freddiefrog]

NFK

My mistake. I shall remember next time!