POLL - Style of Comments

[ZaPhOd]

Now, since this is a community of mostly like-minded artists and hobbyists, I was wondering what style or frequency of comments people tend to leave. I have realised lately, that it is difficult to keep up with the amount of posts, so I am trying stoically to comment on almost every mini I view. My comments tend to range from the simple \"Cool\" to longer diatribes regarding technique, tips, or what I really like or dislike about the mini. I seriously hope nobody takes any of MY comments the wrong way and most are in the spirit of fun and goodwill.
So what style of comments do YOU leave

 

[Chrispy]

I run into this problem all the time in my art class.. People will see something and say \"Oh, that\'s.. interesting.\" in order not to offend the artist. I, however, beilive in contructive critisms... If something looks off, I\'ll call them on it. This also mean I will tell what did work and what something looks like..

For example, on Sintricat\'s Water Sorceress I said that the dress reminded me of a fish. Later, when we we on the shoutbox she told me that was definatly what she was going for.

I guess too many of us are afraid of being Simon on American Idol.. But belive me, the comments I try to give are usually \"This looks good/bad because...\" and not \"That\'s cool/not!\".. How are people going to learn like that? It\'s like saying a Van Gogh is Good without mentioning brush stroks, color selection and what the artist was trying to capture.

Well, that\'s my two cents.. PS I\'m guilty of this, but those 6 and under minis need comments too..

 

[vincegamer]

I usually try to say something I like and something I don\'t. Sometimes I don\'t have one or the other of those. If I have any idea how to improve what I don\'t like, I\'ll give suggestions. If I am amazed by or curious about something, I\'ll leave questions.
I don\'t believe you have to be a good painter to be a good critic. If that were so, there would be no art critics as they would all be out making livings as artists.

Sometimes I feel compelled to leave the \"WOW\" comment, and sometimes there is a good joke lying in there I want to comment on.
We need to start a poll: what type of comments do you want to receive.

 

[Infidel Castro]

COOL!

That\'s a COOL forum topic!

I think I\'m still of the mind that as I don\'t know 99.9% of the people out there it\'s best to look for the positives and then suggest what COULD have been done rather than be forthright. Guess I\'m a wimp lol

COOL!

Phil:innocent:

 

[Sturmhalo]

Ah... jeez, I can\'t believe Simon Cowell gets a mention on a site like this! lol Did Max Clifford put you up to it Chrispy?

Just to help in Max\'s publicity machine, Mr Cowell is not in the slightest bit camp and enjoys cavorting with sexy ladies all the time. lol

I digress. I try and leave something constructive in my comments. Praise the good bits, point out the areas that don\'t work so well, and suggest alternative colours, techniques or whatever. Just saying \'cool\' is a bit of a cop out, though sometimes a particularly awe inspiring model can only be commented on in such a way. It can be a bit annoying to see a pic with a dozen comments attached and they all say \'cool\', \'amazing\' or something equally banal. But I guess any comment is better than none at all.

 

[Dragonsreach]

Trying to be helpful......

I try to leave either constructive comments or justifiable praise. But sometimes I wimp out and just sent the artist a personal message with my opinions. Especially if it\'s someone new to the site. Last thing I want to do is be the first to post a comment and shatter someone\'s illusions.

But I also have to plead Guilty to the Wow & Awesome type fanboy comments to some painters simply because the quality is that good that I cannot really single out specific items on which to comment.

 

[Errex]

I usually give comment of the \"I like/I don\'t like\" type. Some times, I even go as far as to point out how I would do certain things.

For the most part, I try to focus my comments on the stronger points of a given model.

 

[kevd82]

I am guilty of comments that are just mindless praise, mostly on miniatures that are well beyond my level of skill. But I do try to point out what is well done, and on some I will suggest improvement possibilities.

What I don\'t do is make so-called \"witty\" comments - they usually aren\'t funny and I think they demean the artist\'s work just because someone felt the need for attention by being the class clown of CMON. Nor would I make a mean comment - I can\'t believe some of the stuff I read sometimes in comments. It amazes me how people lose all sense of social dynamics when they are at a keyboard.

I have learned quite a bit from comments I have recieved though and value the input. And on the rare occasion that I get a comment that is just praise with no constructive criticism, that just makes me feel good! I am certainly a middle of the pack painter and that encourages me to keep trying to get better!

 

[Sturmhalo]

Sometimes I do see a model that I can\'t really offer any constructive criticism on and I do resort to pure praise.

 

[supervike]

What is \"mindless praise\"? If someone goes through the trouble of making a comment like \'wow\' or \'cool\' I think that is all they needed to say. I don\'t see anything mindless about that.

When someone posts a mini, it is a little like baring your soul. I personally would refrain from leaving mean or negative criticism, but to each his or her own.

The constructive criticism I have seen is what makes this site unique. It (meaning the site) really becomes an ongoing tutorial of mini painting. That is why I enjoy the comments (even the \'witty\' ones) so much.

The only comments that I really think are unnecessary are the ones that say things like \"the tau devilfish could NEVER have twin mounted whirlwind cannons, it is not legal\" or the \"orcs and goblins have to be green\" kind.

 

[ZaPhOd]

Some of my views

Well, mindless praise to me would be people who look at another space marine, with flames coming out of his head and saying WAAAAGH! Maybe it is not mindless, but I don\'t need comments like that
As far as negative comments, well, I would never say anything sucks, or try to hurt someones feelings. I know most artists are very soft hearted folks, and don\'t like constructive comments! However, those minis that are at the average or lower level should get more comments than the great ones, as those people need to progress. The best way to teach is to leave comments and suggestions Just some of my ideas as well. I tend to say what I liek and dislike about a mini, and maybe offer up a tip or too while I am at it! Hey, even the masters aren\'t perfect or they would have a solid 10.0!

 

[supervike]

choice choice of words

BTW, How many comments are really out there that read \"THIS BLOWS GOATS\"?

That is classic!! ZaPhOd, you make me chuckle.....lollol

 

[No Such Agency]

kevd82: I\'m afraid I\'m guilty of posting your dreaded \"witty\" comments... all the time! Well, I also post suggestions and praise but if a joke or funny comment comes to mind I might put that in as well. After all, even if a figure does not have a 10 paintjob it can still evoke a very positive response in the viewer (eg. a certain member\'s wonderful Space Marine conversions). I don\'t think this shows a lack of respect - after all, if we can\'t joke about art it can\'t be much fun can it?

I leave comments similar to what I enjoy receiving, and reading on others\' work. I don\'t care for brief praise (though I\'ll take it over a brief slagging any day!) and I LOVE comments that indicate the viewer saw past the piece\'s surface to a deeper meaning or personality.

 

[SaxonAngel]

Well you got to be careful..

Because some folks can\'t take any advice, or don\'t like less than a 10 on their 5.5. They can get nasty and flame you for saying \"The blending isn\'t perfect...\"

That aside, I leave comments on about 1 in 5. I leave a comment if a miniature makes me stop and look twice, whether good or bad. I have left the odd \"WOW!, but have also left long-winded advice on improvements. But never a \"You suck!\" Because that\'s just not helping the guy out. Mind you, I have questioned whether an item should have been posted or not:|~

When my minis get comments I do look forward to the \"Wows!\" and \"You could have done this like this...\". But what really gets me is when someone says on any mini \"Well, she\'s got that green trim, and I think green sucks...etc\" It should be constructive critique.

As a reminder, those of us getting those \"Wow!\"s should be commenting more on other people\'s stuff. They are giving us those \"Wow!\"s after all


Heck, EVERYBODY should comment more!:idea:

Peace
-Angela

 

[Shroud]

I have a confession to make. I post mostly \"wow that rocks\" type posts....I guess because posts like that are what motivate me personally to keep going. I like pats on the head, and the flipside is I hand them out when I make comments.

Im also guilty of pretty much only looking at the top 10 last 7 days list, or figs by painters I like. I miss 99% of the stuff that goes through here.

Im gonna burn in hell for that....

 

[kevd82]

No Such Agency: I am just a grumpy old man, so I just personally don\'t like the joke comments because they don\'t offer me anything. But to each his own, I\'m sure for everyone who agrees with me, there are plenty who don\'t. And you have left me comments that I found useful.

I guess the mean comments are the ones that really bother me - I don\'t think you should type anything you wouldn\'t say to someone\'s face.

 

[Axebone]

I like this poll...! As a new member of this site, as well as a new mini painter... I enjoy reading what the members write in response to a posted mini. Even if it is someone else\'s, I can usually get a better idea of what people are seeking to help improve and can use it in my own art.

The problem is that there will always be those people that just like using the veil of the internet to hide behind... and stab at the world from their cloak of annonimity.

But... that\'s why God created Elves. Because humans are petty and shallow...

Post more comments...!

 

[Badaab]

Well, here\'s my input...

After having recieved the brunt of someone taking my comments the wrong way, I still say what I feel... regardless of what may or may not hurt someone\'s feelings. I prefer honesty...

Also, I got my fill of critiques in art school that consisted of the teacher saying something, and then the rest of the class repeating it ad nauseum. If I have something to say, I\'m going to say it.

I\'ll always compliment an artist on what I feel are the strong points of the piece, and then head into what might be improved upon. My big issues are color choice and composition, and then the artist\'s growth from piece to piece. For example, if a person has shown improvement in work from one post to another, I\'ll notch up the score to compensate.

Another big thing with me is originality. I know we all get stuck into our little ruts with colors and types of models, but its nice to see some change in subject matter and colors. Lately I\'ve been going through my paints and pulling out all the colors I hardly use, and trying to find uses for them (mainly reds, oranges, and yellows, but also colors like magenta and bronze). While I accell at painting in colors like greens, blues, and browns, I lack the experience with the warmer end of the spectrum.

New inspiration is also a promising point, be it films, television, comics, or even another painted miniature. I \'borrow\' conversion ideas, composition and base design ideas, and even a little painting style now and again. Sometimes experimenting in this way will help you with insight into new techniques that you can adapt into your own work. Oh, and along this line, I\'m working on some articles based upon a few questions I\'ve recieved in response to my postings, so you all can \'borrow\' some techniques of mine too.


There\'s my rant.

Joe

 

[Chronique]

Style of Comments... Hmmm.

Personally, I\'m of the school of thinking that honesty is always the best policy. If someone posts their minis on this site only expecting positive feedback, then the mini had better have no flaws.

I also understand the \"artistic temperament\" idea, being that the artist\'s mind may not want to hear criticism, because they feel that this is the best they can do. Well, that\'s not the case. Even Bobby Wong and Victor Hardy need help in areas, even though they are my idols. Many may disagree, but hey, we\'re talking about opinions here, right?

Hell, If my mini suck doggie doo, tell me. I\'d rather feel berated and be forced to evolve as an artist than to have no one say it blows butt, and be content in my mediocrity. Hell, I have been through it, and I improved as a painter. Rejection begets resolve. …Either that, or you fold.

Criticism, however painful, is ultimately constructive, even if it prompts a person to put down their brush, hang up their painting smock, and go back to their day job. If a comment on this site carries enough weight to shake your confidence, then you might want to think about not putting a mini on this site in search of criticism, and maybe just giving up entirely on the endeavor. Hey, it won’t shake me, I’m still going to bring home a golden demon this year, despite what anyone thinks. Sorry if that’s too callous.
:moon:

 

[kannan_fodder]

Style of Comments.....

ZaPhOd, first off I\'d like to thank you for taking the time to comment on my minis. (And everyone else who has!) I posted my Wraith knowing full and well that someone was going to call me on a particularly baaaaaaaad paint job. And I was NOT offended about the (honest and well intentioned) suggestion of soaking it in brake fluid. Being the first mini I ever painted, it is just a little sentimental to me.

I\'m guilty of the \"WOW!\" comments, but when I post that, it is my first reaction to something I really like. And it is usually followed by what made me say \"wow\" in the first place. I\'ve also posted comments that may have been on the humorous side, like \"PC drops weapon and flees in terror!\" when I\'ve found a particularly well done monster. As a gamer, it was my way of saying \"nice job.\" I also try to leave comments that are helpful and encouraging, without hurting pride and feelings.

As for what I like to hear? Just be honest - whether you like it or not. I know that I\'m not going to get straight 10s, but I\'d really like to know why someone feels my work rates a 5 or lower. If you don\'t feel comfortable posting a public comment, then send me a private one! And if I can\'t be big enough to deal with criticism, should I really be posting my work in the first place? Much less actually asking for it???