I think it helps if you are their friend before you become their critic; but criticism can risk friendship. I know several artists who trust my opinion because I do not pull it, but generally they have to ask for it.
I once seriously considered setting up a community dedicated to brutal criticism of artwork, with the condition that artwork could only be submitted by the artists concerned. I still think it'd be a neat idea. Maybe after I finish Metapix.
I think it helps if you are their friend before you become their critic; but criticism can risk friendship. I know several artists who trust my opinion because I do not pull it, but generally they have to ask for it.
I once seriously considered setting up a community dedicated to brutal criticism of artwork, with the condition that artwork could only be submitted by the artists concerned. I still think it'd be a neat idea. Maybe after I finish Metapix.