It's an empty universe for those who want feedback (RANT)

[Trethowan]

Sometimes people don't give feedback if we don't like something. They don't want to be mean. They don't want to start up any drama. Maybe some folks just want to be liked and are afraid negative comments will cause problems. Maybe some people are afraid of making enemies or sparking a conflict. For some it isn't worth the time to try and hash it out on paper why they didn't like it, what they felt was missing, etc etc etc.

I think if an artist wants real, honest feedback the internet isn't the way to go. I think that art classes where folks are actually showing up and making the effort is a better place to look for constructive criticism. I got next to nothing on my short stories posted on DA. Two people made an attempt to be constructive. But in a writing class I got loads of immediate feedback and it was really helpful. It was face to face, it was a class of people who were all there for the same reason, and it was professional. I think that DA is a big posting-board for amateurs. There is some really nice stuff there but mostly it seems to be an "art-focused Facebook." I think serious artists would be better off elsewhere. Some people have done well and have developed a following so it isn't all bad.

I guess my last thought is that we're generally not as good as we think we are. I certainly learned that after taking this class and went back to the drawing board to develop better skills. My so-called writing needed mega amounts of work. Still does. Unfortunately a lot of people have inflated views of their creations. Whether it's a clumsy short story, a poorly sculpted doll, a face-up with the worst gloopy paint ever, or a web comic with no real conflict or story happening we might think it's awesome cause we love it and we've worked hard but... eh. You know. It might just suck. Maybe we can't see it when we suck. We don't want to see it. One of the best blog posts I ever read was titled something like "nobody cares about your story," or something like that. Wendig was the name of the guy who wrote it. It was a great post about getting over our egos. If I can find it I'll link it cause it was pretty awesome.

But like you guys said, without constructive criticism we'll never really get that 3rd party view will we?

/headdesk.

[ChelseaWhiteArt]

Thank you for your opinions everyone, but I think we are missing a point, this is not exactly about deviant art. I think of deviant art as an umbrella term for all art based websites, even the personal ones that we build ourselves. No one should feel obligated to look at my deviant art account, as aforementioned I use it more now than ever just to host any old images that I need to link a family member or client back to. Also I feel from a social and psychological point of view most if not all the criticism I have gotten face to face be it in one of the classes that I DO in fact take (I feel that my classes are private matters, I wont be sharing much about them. Sorry) or from a client is in large part kept positive because human beings generally want to avoid conflict of any kind. We have an unconscious need and desire to stay on the good side of people that we might be forced to see face to face again one day here in the real world. On the internet, there is little that will stop a person from being opinionated because there is virtually no physical threat in another person on the other side of the world wide web who you will probably never meet and does not know where you live (that is if you are smart about your activities on the internet) meaning that they subconsciously know that they can be an opinionated arsehole and get away with it. So I guess I'm okay with the possibly obligatory anti-conflict strokes received face to face... yet I want to be exposed to insufferable jerks on the internet? Wow I think I may be more confused than when I started this thread to start with. Or just plain masochistic and disturbed.

[knittnkitten]

you're just not going to be happy no matter what anyone says.

[ChelseaWhiteArt]

you're just not going to be happy no matter what anyone says.

Pretty much, and I think that goes for everyone.

[Trethowan]

I'm not missing any points. I'm simply making my own. Also, I don't think the "internet shield" works anymore, not within certain communities, DA as the example from before. Negative behaviour does affect our online reputations. I identify as Trethowan. That's my name, my online face. It's me. People want to protect their online reputations and sometimes they do so by avoiding conflict or giving negative feedback. I do by avoiding (well, most of the time) discussions that just rile up tensions and needless angst.

[DollyKim]

Mistakes and "good" criticism can teach us much. I sketched all the time at work, one of the few days I put in my scrapbook was when someone else pointed out where part of a picture wasn't working then guided me to fixing it. I don't even remember his name but I remember what I learned.

Everything finds its fans in time. Yesterday I found out pictures I had taken of some dolls because of a joke I heard a good month or so ago were finally found by a group that are howling with laughter over the joke. You have to adopt the theory that if you don't look at or remember bad comments they don't exist.

[Calivano]

Ok, well, Im still new here, but I love to critique artwork. I would love to see people's art profiles, but I don't see many links. How about posting a few for my humble eyes to see?

[knittnkitten]

my sig should have the link to my comic tumblr.

[DollyKim]

My Deviant Art http://dollykim.deviantart.com The doll blog link is in my signature but it's my general blog and has more progression pictures of some of the stuff.

[Calivano]

Wow, lots of comics. I'm assuming they are all done bayou (By you! lol)? I like tempest in a teapot, but where is chapter 1? I searched and couldn't find it. I like the comics! I like the whimsical nature nature of Cybele. I also like the 1930s-esq style of sepia shading. Honestly, your skill of comics and character poses surpasses my skills. There are lots of things I could use to knit pick perhaps, but it doesn't do to always be a fault finder. I guess its easier for me to critique my own art then someone else s art because i struggle trying to elicit particular emotions. I want people to feel those emotions through my art. IMHO I think your comics accurately convey the emotions your characters are feeling. But I especially like Cybele! I think she is adorable. Is she some kind of spirit? What is she?