I agree about judging it on standard merits. Composition, lighting, etc. There is, however, something to be said for understanding the medium a least somewhat. I believe it can give a deeper appreciation of the technical aspects and how skillfully they were handled. I think that applies to all media, by the way. Knowing how watercolors work (and don't work) makes assessing watercolor paintings easier. Same with understanding colored pencil, graphite, oils, acrylics, etc. Understanding the medium (at least a bit) adds just that much more in the way of appreciating and critiquing it. :-) bonni

"When a man gives his opinion, he's a man. When a woman gives her opinion, she's a bitch." - Bette Davis