The artwork you find.

[Sirghe]

This is just something i have to say...

There are a lot of people on this site that like to draw/paint/sketch/ whatever, and they add their art here in hopes that people will enjoy and RESPOND to it... Yes, some people like to just have their art looked at, but others post so that they can get comments on what they should do to better themselves as artists. Yes, the "OMG! That is sooo awesome!" comments are nice, but constructive comments are better and therefore help that artist post later, improved works as they take part in the information that was put out to them in the comments received.
This being said, I have a challenge for all who get comments from friends who want them to view their art or anybody else who happens to stumble in on the art forums......
Leave a constructive comment for any piece of artwork you come across whether you like it or not, believe me, as an artist myself these comments are the best reward for piece I put my best work into.

Thank You
~Sirghe; art aficionado and lover of cookies

[Anjil]

Most of us are already pretty familiar with art commenting etiquette. In fact, there's a rule in the board constitution encouraging such comments, but I'm sure it cannot be stressed enough. Thanks for addressing this to us.

It's always nice to see someone with such a positive attitude towards constructive criticism. Not much bugs me more than comments such as "Aww, that's cute!" or the infamous single-word compliments. If one is going to say that, they should at least give a reason why they think that of your art, ne?

[Fluory]

Yeah.. I wish I'd get more indepth comments. But it's not crits I really want.

Omg! You just want the attention. D:

Not so, random sentence I just put in italics. See, some artists would rather not have their mistakes thrown at them. At least, some with a decent sense of anatomy/shading. The reason for this is there's a very good chance they know what's off, what's wrong, and all that. And some people like me prefer to improve on their own. I mean, I'll still take them, but what can I really do with them?

Saying, 'the shading looks kind of weird' doesn't tell me how to fix it. If it 'looks weird', why does it look weird? Do you have suggestions on how to fix it? Do you understand if it's a style where I deviated from the norm intentionally? I find only the most indepth crits with a possible redline to be worth it. No offense is intended, but a good portion of the people here don't even have the sense of anatomy or shading to crit accurately at all.

What I'm getting sick of, on here, and particularily dA, is the amount of two-second comments like, 'awesome!'. Which I do get. And on my journal now, too. It depresses me, and if I had a choice, I'd choose no comments over those comments. I really would.

The comments I'd strive for are like.. Contention's... Not because it's big paragraphs and words per se, but because he goes into painful detail about what he likes about the picture and whatnot. And shorter comments are good, too. What I'd like is for people to say why it's awesome, and maybe drop a humorous comment about it or comment on the actual subject itself. Even though that's more suited for comics, it would be all spiffy.

[Sirghe]

I understand your point there, Pawy, and that's exactly the kind of thing I was trying to hit on. I'm just hoping people will move from the vague comments, like "The shading looks weird," and start putting some real thought into what they say.

Maybe people should post what kind of Critique they want with their pictures, like in DA.

[contention]

You all seem to be more than correct on your natural input on how things should come out to look when reviewing someones art. It's a big thing, especially when you start out for once, to gain approval in the sense of your drawings and how you achieve certain task here and there. Of course, there is something which hinders ourselves from grasping onto these hefty replies, the largest case scenario is as Pawy mentioned straight away. The majority of those that give their ideas only want to achieve a higher post count, or as it may seem some type of attention. When and if you happen to stumble across a piece of art that you like, you should state the reasons why you like it. If you can't find anything wrong with the piece, then don't try to come up with something to make it seem like such. However, the petite comments that focus on, as you said, "Awesome", are really only there for that gain of attention and pleasure. It's something that seems to cross-stitch matters and ideas among this place and others. The reason people gain critiques is merely because of their standing in line and of the such. This is something that can come to emotionally cause troubles to others around them and of the likes.

While everyone may adore art reviews, there is that unfairness which is delievered in them as well. The majority of this feeling comes from the factor of if your name is popular or not. Even if this is an online world, it feels as if the motions of a HighSchool majority are still stinging at our side. Clicks are still persistant, where groupies band together and only do the things that they see fit. Someone with a high name could draw a scribble and get more than hundreds of hits, while say you do something and you only get one. Even with one review though, it would be along the lines of, "Harara, that's cool". As you all seemed to say, that's not a way to go into detail about someones art or the things that revolve around it. As mortal beings, we all thrive on one thing; an acceptance to what we do. While the little small replies might have nice sayings, they don't inform us as to what makes it that way or as to why it needs to be worked on. People that take the time to click on that "Reply" button, need to also take the moment to put something down thats worth the artist's time. Otherwise, it's not going to matter if you stick a few words together and call it finished. As said, artists work to please the viewer, the least the viewer could do is say something to please the artist.

While equality might be something no human being could ever achieve with another, there is that facet in which you can strive for the best. As living creatures there is that saying in which we all work for the better of another; we hope to help others along. Such sayings are repremended into the bold black lettering of your reviews. As you would hope for some type of comment on what you do, the person that draws another picture likely wishes for the same. This isn't a race to see who can have the highest post count in the shortest time, it also isn't a rally to view of whom can gain the most popularity in the order of three hours. The fact of the matter is, you can't buy your friends. So if you try to please someone by just going, "You so cool" and then leaving, that's not going to cut it. An artist works to please themselves as well as others, but to know that they have gone the right way, they are going to need to hear your input and satisfaction on the matter. The least any can do for anything is mention upon what is right and what is wrong. These along can shape the feelings of the artist and give them a motion of feeling like they actually achieved what they were sprouting for.

Even in the field of writing and of the likes, it would come to be stated that reviews should have more to them then little cut up sentences. You're not asked to be some perfect reviewer who could make into the papers. All that is asked is that you happen to pay attention to the motions you make, as well as give equal share to those around you. Don't just review an artist picture if they are popular, give everyone a fighting chance no matter how they start out. People don't post their art to watch it fall to the bottom of the screen, they want to see if they actually achieved something. A lot of them do, and they always have; however people are so caught on the fact of only speaking to those that "matter" that they ignore there are those out there that would like to hear some type of advice. The board shouldn't be weighed upon a caste, while someone might seem to get the pinnacle of reviews, everyone has something similar inside of themselves. Just because you give a dollar to the "king" doesn't mean that "king" is going to give you a seat next to his or her (In the essence of queen) throne. Give reviews because you care, not because you want to see yourself be known as something.

The fact of the matter is, it's an online world and someday it will die as much as you will die. Don't fight for popularity, if you see an artist thread give them a shout and review their art if it pleases you. There is no need to run in circles to try to gain some height. The people here as said, work to please you. Especially those who draw from Pawy to Anjil, to Toshi and YoshiFrog. All of the likes, everyone in their own pattern draws to see what you say. Give them something worth while, don't leave them out in the cold. This isn't a competition, it's a fact of being yourself and saying whats on your mind.

[Sirghe]

You hit it on the head, Contention.
I'm not asking for people to post just for the sake of posting, I just want people to realize that though there are artists here that indeed don't need/want comments there are those that are looking to hone their craft and thus are looking for tips and tools from anyone who cares so that they can do just that.

[Not-Garr]

Sirghe, I love you forever for coming out and saying this. And I agree with you wholly. I usually try to point out the way something is done that I like especially, or at least give my posts reason, if not help the artist out.

[Gene L.D. Ryoko]

Your my new hero, I agree totally. When I put art on here I don't usually get comments. When I do it's something like "awesome" or "good job". I'm one of those artists who put art on here to improve by getting comments, but for anything I do online, it's either nothing or nothing useful. Contention describes me in a way. I seem to be left out of alot of things. While I don't mind being popular, I mind that members seem to chose to ignore me and reply to other people shatters my confidence completly. I think my art sucks because I'm left in the cold. Thats all I think I have to say on the matter.

[Yoshi]

Of course, it's easy to agree with something like this. The hard part is actually doing it.

[Graedius]

Yeah, whenever I comment on art, I'll always give a particular reason as to why, or perhaps multiple if it warrants it.

[Sirghe]

Is there anything that can be done? I mean, yes it's hard to go by and make sure that you post constructive criticism, but then shouldn't there be a way to let those that view art what kind of replies they're looking for, again, kind of like DeviantArt? This alone might help artists get what they do want out of posted comments, as well as keep the annoying nickle and dime comments from being so common.
About the artistic "popularity" that seems to be big here, I think that maybe this too can help with "sharing" the limelight as it were and get other less popular artists the kind of commentgs they so desperately strive for.
Is there anything that can be done?

[contention]

Well in a matter of speaking on the situation; there have in fact been things that are already set in motion. This probelm has been covered time and time before, but it's hard as it is to get everyone in the board to set down on one fine line; that of which being to comment with that of dignity on the art threads around. Sadly enough, the only reason it proposes a burden is because it's difficult it seems for the point to be taken; it's hard to cut off what pours so heavily over the falls and of the likes. There is in fact something of which you can do though, and something of those that agreed here can start to work on in order to make this control itself correctly. As you stated, of the late you have been trying to comment upon art as well as you can; keep that up, as well as anyone else who agreed with you. While it may be impossible to fully kindle the probelm, there is a solution in and of yourself and your cause. Proceed in the material that you were going with, say what everyone was; deliever your points and critiscm unto the art that you view. The cause is one worth fighting for, as it seems to progress throughout this situation; in doing such, the main course of action is to take it up on what you do. Soon after, more will start to follow in the steps and the ways you leave behind. There was also a short mention of popularity in the artists, this which manifest a type of unfair moral between all the threads in such at the YC; the members shouldn't have to try to gain any type of standing on some pillar, for the true way to gain anything is to be yourself as well as remark as you would like to see commented upon your own strides.

The whole outlook upon this matter could be expanded into many sights; especially that on the mention of popularity, and members having to strive to be who they aren't. What needs to be recognized is the fact that it's not about how many people you know, how many names you can fit somewhere, how many "Gift-Arts" you can draw; it all boils down to the point of thriving as what you were to begin with. People need to realize the real you and what you give to society; not the you that swirls into the mixture itself; they say that life is about standing out for your cause and living to what goals you see fit. However, it seems that so many fall short of such and enter the vertex among the others that float beside them. From drawing to acting, as a community things should be untied not torn apart by little acts of need and want; as given, when you see an art thread you enjoy review it to the fullest: the creator wants to hear your points, they want to see what they did right and what they did wrong. Don't just flock to one artist in and of themselves, broaden your horizons and see what you can place for those around you. People enjoy what others have to say, they really do, but it needs to be that of which they can comprehend and hold onto.

Think of it in the view point of what one as yourself would enjoy to notice if you published something to the board. Sure, the good jobs and things might mean something of anything to you; there is more to the puzzle though than just that. An artist as well likes to see where they made a mistake, if you point it out they don't bite; in fact that's the reason of comment and critiscm. They are looking to percieve what you notice, and the next time around they'll try to re-establish the source better; as well, if something extrodinary catches your eyes, never fail in explaining this to the creator. As all wish to hear whats off, there is just as much as an inner delusion to have someone say what's correct; in such the artist can have something to go on with, words that matter because time was spent on them. It's not about the number of post that you achieve, or how high you can get your title into the rafters; in retrospect its focused on the ability of the comment and what you say. As the quote goes, it's about quality not quantity. Even if you did get the highest post count, what would it matter besides the fact of knowing it was there; it would give no solid cement to stand on, besides knowledge that could be grasped in thin strokes.

All wish for the small comments to stop, for annoying messages to not be relayed; there is only as said, the solution within your actions and thoughts. Take it upon your duties to give an example to the board on how things should be done. A group can do it even, try to review what you can and let others know that you care and you wish for them to enjoy what they have done. The probelm can't fully be disengaged, but with your strife it can indeed be shortened to a minimum.

[Fluory]

I like the phrase, "Keep popularity out of talent." But it seems to be a very unrealistic dream. Still, though... I have noticed the whole popularity trend. It drives me crazy. But what can someone do about that? The only real way to solve it would have to be set in motion by the members themselves, I think. You know, check out all the art and give a comment, a watch, or whatever if you honestly like it.

[Yink]

I'm often in a hurry when I do manage to comment on any art, although I'm not on most often. Plus we need to think, even though it may be great, what is it lacking? I do this with my friends at my Photoshop class. Take my sig for example. The grunge looks wonderful, but it'ls lacking lighting effects and depth.

If you want someone to improve, don't just say, "OMG That looks so great," also tell them what they can improve. I know it's hard sometimes, because you probably don't want to hurt their feelings because you think you might. It would be a good idea. See past all of the great parts to try to help out a little. It's what I would do anyways, even though I mostly do sigs.