I honestly don't think that anyone who is serious about this "group" and purpose behind it would be purposefully malicous with their comments.

Art is a very personal thing and what we create is really part of us because it comes from inside.  So it's hard to step back and see negative comments made about something so personal and sometimes it's hard to not take those comments in a very personal way. Add that to the fact that it's extremely hard to convey our actual thoughts and meanings in writing because of the lack of facial expressions and voice inflections, that it often makes for many a misunderstanding.

The important thing to remember  is that when you see something negative said about an image that it's not personal, it's just an honest opinion/view/thought about what the viewer is seeing.

Not everyone will include a "fix" with their comment. If that happens bring the image here and ask for suggestions on how to get it to work.

This whole thing is a learning process, not only for the person creating the image, but for those making the comments too. Giving criticism in such a way as to not offend or hurt is a true art in itself and some people dance around the issue at hand, others are forthright and blunt, while others provide a balance of both.

Just keep in mind that any comments made will more often than not be given in the spirt that this group was created for....to help each of us learn and grow.

ARTWITHIN gave me this link, so I'm posting it here and I've asked if Karen can edit it into the initial post.

HOW TO GIVE A CRITIQUE

"It is good to see ourselves as others see us. Try as we may, we are never
able to know ourselves fully as we are, especially the evil side of us.
This we can do only if we are not angry with our critics but will take in good
heart whatever they might have to say." - Ghandi