All guides

Getting your first critique

To get your first critique, you need two photographs: a reference (the subject you’re painting from — a photo, a still life, or the live scene) and your painting (a clear photo of your finished or in-progress work).

1. Take a clean reference photo

Photograph your reference straight-on, in even light, with no glare. Avoid shooting at an angle — plzxplain measures proportions, so perspective distortion in the reference photo will throw off the comparison.

2. Photograph your painting

Lay your painting flat or hang it square to the camera. Natural daylight (not direct sun) gives the most accurate colour and value reading.

3. Upload both photos

Open the app, choose New critique, and upload the reference first, then your painting. Processing usually takes under a minute.

4. Read your critique

plzxplain returns a set of measurement-backed observations — block-in accuracy, value grouping, and edge quality — each tied to a specific metric, not a vague opinion.