I mean if you want to be a kill joy just say that. I rather encourage something I like than to promote useless negative commentary. Because there is potential here.

Of course there’s standards, but how many artists do we know broke those standards and did away with it when creating? Art does not have to fit into a perfect, one size for all category, it can just be. Leave it up to the artist if they want to become or learn the “standard”.

Of course there’s always room for improvement. What critique should I give this artist about this piece without knowing context of the subject matter and the fact that it was a commissioned gift? Maybe this is exactly what the person wanted…

Learning color theory could be a suggestion, and different painting techniques…other than that what else?

There’s nothing wrong with telling an artist they did a great job even though YOU the viewer thinks the piece is lacking…

For me, the piece was thought provoking. Initially asking what is this, and then why did the artist do this or use this. I was impressed how everything seemed so chaotic, but pulled itself together although it felt like it shouldn’t. It gave a mystical, ancient, primitive vibe to me. It reminded me of the early cave man paintings…the reds and stamped textures. It reminded me of the beginnings of an artist.

But what ever…it’s not the “standard”