I want to share my opinions on comments and critiques. Remember that these are just my own opinions though so people can disagree or say their own opinions if they want. Because this turned out longer than I expected I’m outlining the main points at the beginning and then talking about each one in more detail after that.


- A good comment doesn't have to be long, something short can still give encouragement.

- Negative comments aren’t bad but need to include a reason you think what you do.

- Be specific when saying what you like or don’t like.

- Try giving a reason you like something and especially if you don’t like something.

- Don’t get offended if someone doesn’t like something you made.

- Don’t treat “negative criticism” as an excuse to purposefully be offensive.

- Remember that you’re talking to your fellow artists when you comment and it’s important we help each other improve as best we can.




Thoughts on comments-

A good comment doesn't have to be long, have negative or positive criticism, and you don’t have to have the same level of skill or experience as the person who made the image. A simple, short comment expressing how much you like something can be very valuable to someone because it can give encouragement. That said, just because a comment doesn't have to have those things doesn't mean it shouldn't either since they can all be helpful. A word or two of encouragement is still better than nothing said at all though. The time that one or two words is never enough is when you have something negative to say, because in that case you should explain why you think that. It doesn’t have to be a long explanation but it ties in with the last section about community spirit.



Thoughts on critiquing art-

Details-
Try being specific when pointing out something. If, for example, you want to mention something about a drawing’s line work sometimes it’s fine to say “the line work” in general, but sometimes the person will know what you’re talking about more if you describe a specific area of the lines. The same can be said about colors, shapes, composition, and just about anything else you could comment about.


What you like and don't like and why-
It's very helpful to both your own growth and the growth of the person you're commenting on when you include details and also say what you like and don't like and why. When you say what part you like or don’t like and why then that gives the artist a better idea of what it is they should keep doing, or what they should work on improving. It also helps you because simply taking the time to ask yourself what you like in other people’s work and why helps you to understand your own work better.


Separating the work from the person-
A lot of people get personally offended and angry with whoever left the comment if anything negative is ever said about their work. There’s a difference between the work made and the person that made it. If someone doesn’t like something you made they’re not necessarily saying they don’t like you as a person, just that they think some part of what you made wasn’t made well. None of us are perfect artists and, except in a few certain cases such as if something was a gift to someone or a memorial to someone that’s died, etc., we should generally welcome criticism because it may help us improve. At the same time certain people are rude will treat leaving comments as an opportunity to insult the artist, and that shouldn’t happen either.


Community spirit-
Many people feel that everyone, no matter how old or experienced, is still a student because there’s always more things to learn and more room to improve. Like I said before, I think we should generally welcome criticism if it can help us improve. People also need to be respectful of others too. Even if I think that someone shouldn’t get upset if something negative is said about their work, that doesn’t mean I’m going to go around pointing out every possible tiny flaw either. Comments are there to give people feedback, not to harass them.


If anyone wants to add their thoughts to this then go right ahead.

I think that this is worth commenting on.

Ok, why are you telling us how to comment?
If you wanna comment just look at all of mine.

I think the occasional flaming, fighting and name-calling are nice when things get too boring. <:)
By the way, I am just kidding. >;D
|XOD|

i agree with XOD, by the way, I am just not kidding >Ol

friend: He's not telling, he's advising.

I'm not telling you how to comment, I'm only presenting something I think might help people who are unsure how to critique, etc. I said things like "these are just my own opinions though so people can disagree..." on purpose specifically so people wouldn't think I was telling them what to do.

Sometimes I enjoy saying things that upset people I don't like because.....well because I don't like them. And it's a bonus when they can't draw worth a shit but really wish they could.

Right........

Redpanda, I generally agree with you. I like the "OH WOW" comments but I like the " I like this because..." or " I hate this because..." comments too. I can't stand the "this sux" or " your dumb" ones though

Axil, I don't see the need to be mean to some one here unless they bring it on themselves. Some one posting a stick figure on any thing but the beginer board, or some one going around leaving comments like " you suck" or " don't quit your day job" are for example asking for it. In these cases by all means bite off their heads and SH*T down their necks.

Although I agree with Xodiak and Cyclops too, its always funny to watch a couple of people who got a bug up their butt for one reason or another on the internet.
Just remember...(click link for nice off color image that says it all )
http://carcino.gen.nz/images/index.php/00b9a680/463c5922

you all suck : )

..do you hate me axil? I don't like being hated.... I somewhat agree with redpanda... we're all guilty of the "THIS IS SOOO AWSOME!!" kind of comments....

Ok Krasia, That picture is VERY offensive to me. My little brother who has Autism participated in the Special Olympics. I know you didn't make this, but it is very offensive nontheless. I just hope that some day a person like you doesn't say something like that near my brother, because it would break his heart. Shame on you for that revealing of stupidity. Remember that words have a lasting effect- use yours for good rather than spreading hate.

lol, too many people take things way to serriously. It's a funny picture. Take it for what it is, it's not hate.

No it's not funny! You are missing the point! I am very sensitive to this subject so just deal with it!!

hold on. you're the one who's sensitive so we have to deal with it?

Bothers me when people just say: this is cute! (or even worse) THIS IS SO KAWAII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111111111111111111oneoneoneone4645612324fortysix
I think a few suggestions, atleast, are good for people. Some people get offensive if you criticize their work, even if you do it nicely..
Edit: good point, cello :P

LOL you make me laugh rikku.

I do prefer long comments rather than short ones (even though encouraging) because they don't really retain much information. I mean, you read it and it's like, "OK-- thanks?" ya know? So what. I don't really care much for pointers on details and all on a picture but I just don't like seeing the same comments in a row with "Good" and "cool" and "awesome" in every one of them.

Ok, why are you telling us how to comment?

I think it's because he is also getting tired of seeing the same old comments written ten times in a row. Not scrolling up to check out what others have posted is just as lazy as not-getting-your-butt-off-the-computer. It's as simple as that. No need to write an essay--but c'mon say something different. Some people here who may say they have uber *cough*talent*cough* don't contain more than 10 characters in their 'sentences.'

All I'm saying is: at least put some thought into it.

God you are such errogant people!!

arrogant..

only a poster shouldnt take it so personal as its not really against disabled people and so on

Geez. Out of all of the people here, Sal, I thought that one of my friends would be on my side.. It's a little thing called empothy people. How would you feel?
And then there are people like Marcello. Very smart, but let their dextarity get to them, making themselves feel above all the rest. You disgust me.

Chill.... You're making a bigger issue out of this than what it really is.

Agreed.

Argh....... You just don't get it....

empathy..
dexterity..
really settle down. You are serriously taking it waaaaaaay to personally. I'm fat and polish yet I don't take offense at fat or polish jokes. It's nothing personal they are just funny jokes. You know, you are going to give yourself an ulcer.

ok stfu