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So maybe I went out on the limb by referring to it as”paint by numbers" and yes I should apologies for that.  It does take quite a bit of talent to get the colors of the piece to match just right.  Even the creators of “paint by numbers” where very talented in creating an art form that could be shared by all.

I am self taught in all the mediums I've used. I have RELIED upon criticism to help me improve, as I didn't have the input of a teacher. I encourage feedback, good and bad, because I learn from it and it makes me better. I don't consider myself a great artist - some people do - I consider myself good enough to want to be better. I have received some wonderful, tactful negative feedback, but one particular time still sticks with me - I painted a woman's dog once, emailed her a photo, and she proceeded to tell me that it was awful, that the dog was a champion, and that anyone looking at that would wonder who's crossbred PET it was. Okay, tell me the jawline is too strong, or too weak, the color is off, whatever, but there's a right way and a wrong way to criticize. I ended up finishing that portrait and it turned out lovely - I was DETERMINED because she ticked me off so bad - and I have since spoken with her, told her how I felt and she apologized. She has even hired me again for more work. I agree with Glenda - critiquing the style is okay - attacking the product itself is not.