Nina Kuriloff 19 Jan 2005

Hi Marilyn, This does not directly answer your question, but:

From reading various threads on the subject of ratings, it appears that artists become very upset and sometimes angry when they get ratings that are below 9 or 10.

I only rate works of art that I like a great deal and only give them a rating of "10" or "9."

Have a good day. Nina :)

Marilyn Fuerstenberg 19 Jan 2005

seems like that defeats the purpose of the rating system. If all a person ever gets is 9 or 10, how can they know if their work is bad, ok, good, excellent or superior?

OH Well, then the system of rating in my mind means nothing.

Marilyn Fuerstenberg 19 Jan 2005

Oh, I forgot another thought. If I got a rating that is lower than a ten, shouldn't the rater give an explaination on what they feel is objectionable?

Candace Bell 19 Jan 2005

RATING SCALE:

1-2 Start Over 3-4 Needs Work 5 Average 6-7 Good 8 Very Good 9 Excellent 10 Perfect

This is according to ArtWork Ratings found in your "Members Area" I would just rate fairly in your own veiw and opinion. If your unfamiliar with a genre of artwork then it may be best not to rate it at all since you cant really give a real educated critique.

Or maybe just add in your comment if you leave one "I feel" becuase.... about the artwork so they know where you stand as far as knowladge goes and understand why you rated it the way you did.

There is also a place where you can specify that in order for someone to rate a peice of artwork they must also leave a comment. This can be found in your member preferances.

I have this checked for my gallery, but not everyone always leaves a comment thats helpfull, usually just says things like "very nice" "well done" or "needs work" Nothing really to helpfull most of the time, just their short general thoughts.

The rating and comment system has been a main issue on here, most people complaining about it. Wether you feel people "should" and "shouldnt" do something it doesnt matter because in the end they will do what they want.

But you can take on the responisbility like some of us to make a good example with the rating system.

Volunteer of America 19 Jan 2005

Marilyn---this is AW, anyone and everyone who owns a scanner gets a "10"..

Candace Bell 19 Jan 2005

True it seems lol.... My average rating for my gallery is 9.5 so thats just 5 points away from my artwork being thought of as "perfect"

And although I think my artwork is good its certianly not perfect, can anything really be perfect with artwork? thats like calling someone "normal" whats normal and what perfect?

19 Jan 2005

Andrew Liberto 19 Jan 2005

"OH Well, then the system of rating in my mind means nothing."

Keep to that thought, Marilyn. You'll be fine. In reality, it really does mean nothing. Here at AW it's the source of much to do about nothing. It can be pretty humorous at times if you look at it right.

Ric Strange 19 Jan 2005

Indeed

eileen martin 19 Jan 2005

i think most members use it as a form of cyber socialization, nothing more:)

Mark Peterson 19 Jan 2005

Welcome to AW Marilyn, your question concerning the rating shows you have consideration for others, and that is all that is really needed. It is a failed number system that holds little value in terms of Individual artist accomplishment....in my opinion. Rate accordingly with your honest opinion and all should go smooth. Often I will give a ten, but explain in my comment where I feel they can improve. We learn from critique and advice not numbers, but you will find some that place high value on those numbers, you can't get around it.

19 Jan 2005

Ric Strange 19 Jan 2005

Indeed

Martha Yokawonis 19 Jan 2005

Hi Marilyn I think your question originally was how to tell the difference between beginners, intermediate and professionals when doing the random ratings. I too found this confusing when I joined a few months ago. There is no way to tell the age or level of competence when rating from the "random" page which seems to be the default on Aw. I usually go to someones actual portfolio and rate their images or (my preference)I have artists added to my AW watch list. When they upload images I receive an email and a link directly to the image already enlarged and ready to be rated and commented upon. If evrybody on my watch list uploads new images on the same day I get all the links to all the new images in the same email which saves me time in commenting/rating. The problem with the random rating page is that there is no way to know if the work being submitted for rating is "up to par" for the person's skill level and their other works in their portfolio. I have had a couple of people rate my work in an inconsistent fashion but others have been receiving angry emails and revenge ratings from people they tried to honestly comment upon and didn't give a 9 or 10 to. it is a problem here but it is helpful if you go to members preference and pick comments as well as ratings. that way they have to say something and not just give you a low rating. This is a public forum and many people on the site join but don't necessarily have any work in their portfolios. They just want to be a member. They are often not very sensitive in their comments. If you are upset by the comments or ratings on your pieces then you can "turn off" ratings and comments too in members preferences. I know this is a long reply but I hope it helps you adjust to the "system."

Marty

Martha Yokawonis 19 Jan 2005

Also if you click on the name of the person who posted a reply it takes you to their portfolio automatically. I spent at least a week in the dark abut how to see other people's portfolios. if you want to comment on an artist's work as in a critique there is a message board for Artwork critiques too. You will find that many of the people here are fun to be around while others take some getting used to. It's like a family in that way. Welcome to our humble home!

sher richardson 19 Jan 2005

Hello Marilyn...

It would be nice to be able to identify at what level some artists are at while commenting on their works. I try to familiarize myself with many artists works, and do alot of portfolio hopping... Most times i can see growth or a direction in the works... Theres a huge mix of all levels here...

I tend to stay in the genre and mediums i know about, and at times when i see talent in areas i am not up to par on i will comment with an encouraging salute... I do pass by work sometimes. Time usually isnt on my side as of late.

I would just suggest to have fun and use your good artistic judgment....

*Great watercolours by the way Marilyn...

: )

Marilyn Fuerstenberg 19 Jan 2005

I am not concerned about my ratings. What I did not want to do is to turn anyone off from exploring art. After all, we all started as a beginnner and grew from there. In my opinion, no one is ever a perfect artist, well maybe long after they will ever know about it. LOL Art is something I want to encourage everyone to do. It's great therapy and if we make some $ along the way we are flattered. If our bubble is burst we may give up and will never know where we could have gone.

I can take constructive critique and welcome it. It will help me to grow as an artist.

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